Evening Hours

In years to come I think that I will look back on the hours between 7 pm and 9 pm as some of the sweetest and indeed most sacred hours of my life. These are the hours I spend each night putting my children to bed. While much is said about the weariness of motherhood what with sleep deprivation and no time for one's self - particularly with a child or children who do not go gently to sleep each night - much more should be spoken about the joy spent with children at these hours. And the rituals involved. The bonds created. Each night I chase my daughter around the house while we all scream "naked baby" before she reluctantly relents and allows us to put her in the bath tub. Then on to teeth, lotion, pajamas, and something to drink. We settle into her bed for several stories, gather baby and blanket, read "just one more", and then turn out the light. From there, nights turn to cuddling, snuggling, and talking. Tonight during our prayers, Greta said she was thankful for "baby brother and Josie [her grandparents' cocker spaniel]". She wanted me to tickle her face with my fingertips and each time I stopped, she put my hand back on her face and said, "Mama, please". Greta grows very kissy at bedtime, wants to sleep face to face with our foreheads touching, and tries to snuggle so closely that she slowly inches her way nearly under me each night. After she drifted to sleep and I unwound myself from around her this evening, I went and found Wyatt snoozing in Paul's arms. After nursing him, swaddling him, and giving him some long, soft nuzzling, I lay him in his crib and he was asleep within seconds. I love the time I spend with my children just before sleep takes us all. These moments are unencumbered by lessons or corrections. Words like "time out" are not spoken. Here only the gentle and the soft are welcome because this is the best way to get to sleep each night - being wrapped in the arms of someone who loves you and who you love, too. It's what couples hope for and children everywhere should have. I wish and hope that these traditions will continue throughout their lives spent at home, albeit with some changes. I hope that time spent reading board books together will turn into time spent on chapter books and then novels. I hope that simple prayers for a dog will turn into discussions about philosophy and religion and that we will discuss our shared views or talk about how they differ - even drastically, maybe. I hope tickling faces evolves into sharing laughter. And I hope that hugs never change and we continue right ahead in that endeavor.