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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