Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Once again, my Grandmother Dove was the inspiration for this wonderful poem. As a child this memory is so vivid to me. I hope you find some comfort in this as well.


Now I Lay me Down to Sleep


I remember as a child

Visiting the tiny village where my grandparents lived

And how every night

Before she went to sleep

My grandmother would get her tiny bible

Hold it between her clenched hands

Kneel on the floor near her bed

Her elbows rested on the well worn comforter

And

She would pray

.

I was too young to completely

Understand

All that she said

But

I would stand silently

Outside her bedroom door

And listen to her pray

.

Her voice was different

Quieter

Calmer

Almost sad

As she prayed to the one she believed in

And asked him for guidance

Not only for herself

But for all of those she loved

.

Many minutes passed and then she would

Lower her head to her clenched hands

And I'm sure I heard her softly sob

As she whispered

.

It was usually at this point I would leave

Because being a child

It hurt to hear

My wonderful Nanny Dove

Crying

.

But this one time I stayed

.

I remember tears falling down my cheeks as well

And even though I could not hear

What she was whispering

I felt

If it saddened my Nanny

Then it saddened me

.

Finally

She said

"Amen"

Put the tiny bible on her nightstand

And got into bed

I turned to walk away

But she called to me

I opened the door

And she patted the bed

"Come, sit, Billy."

.

"Nanny, why were you crying?"

.

She looked at me for a few seconds

Smiled

And touched my face

Withe her weathered

Wrinkled hand

"They were tears of joy.

I was talking to my saviour.

I was thanking him for all that he has given me,

a long life, wonderful children, and

sweet grandchildren, like you."

.

"I was asking my saviour

to always make my path in life clear

and if I should stray,

then show me the way back."

.

"I prayed to my saviour

to look after my family

long after the day

that he calls me to his side.

And see that they are safe

and forever protected in his arms."

.

She smiled

Bent forward and kissed me on the forehead

.

"Now go to bed, Billy. And don't forget to say your prayers."

.

I left silently

Closed her door

And walked to my room

.

I sat on the bed

For a while

Staring out the window

At the darkness outside

The wind rushing in from the ocean

As it always did

.

I knelt by my bed

I clasped my hands

.

"Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray The Lord my soul to keep

And if I die before I wake

I pray The Lord, my soul to take

God bless Mommy and Daddy

Nanny and Poppy

Nanny

And my sister

And Andy and her kittens

Amen."

.

February 1, 2013


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