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Falling Asleep

Tonight, after a long, busy, hectic week, we all went to bed out of routine and a little later than normal.  Britt put Aubree down and Thomas was watching a cartoon until it went off.  Then he joined me in the recliner while I was watching some crime show.  That's when something special happened.
I put Thomas to bed each night and we lay down and fall asleep together.  But tonight, for the first time in I don't know how long, he fell asleep laying in my arms.  I wasn't sure if he was totally out or not until I got up because he just went to sleep so calmly, so relaxed, and so peaceful.  As I made my way to bed, my mind was flooded with thoughts.

I began to wonder, when was the last time I took a nap in my parents' arms?  Did either of us know that would be the last time?  How happy were each of us in that moment?  What would we have done differently if we knew?  As parents, we yearn to see our children grow up, be successful, be happy, and be good people.  And as parents, we long to hold that little baby, to hear that childlike laugh and silly voice, to protect them from the world, to know they are going to be okay all the time.  But unfortunately we cannot have both forever.

That's what makes this stage of life one of the greatest.  I have my parents and my children that I am blessed to spend time with.  We play, we eat, we laugh, we just do whatever.  It doesn't matter what we do because we are doing it together.  So if you still have your parents or grandparents, just sit down and talk with them.  It doesn't matter what you talk about.  And if it gets too boring, they probably won't even mind if you decide to take a nap on their couch as they can likely reminisce on the days when they held you in their arms while you slept.  Give them that joy of being their little baby again while becoming the vibrant adult they have prayed you'd become.  

We didn't stay our childhood size and our children won't stay small forever.  So love on your kids, hold them tight, and remember that no matter how hard it is to reach the remote, and no matter how numb your arm is, one day you'll miss them curling up in your lap to fall asleep.  Being a good parent is hard, but I believe that having to look back at life wishing I had been a good parent would be unbearable.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for my grandparents and parents.  I pray for them and for my children especially tonight.  This is a much different world than what they raised me in and we need You.  Amen.
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