Bedtime Rituals and Redeeming Time

Last night the two oldest "littles" stayed overnight.  They worked 4th of July word puzzles and coloring pages.  Later, we made popcorn and watched "The Prince of Egypt." 

Since all fun things must come to end, it was soon time to clean up all papers, crayons, colored pencils, and markers littering the den floor.  Oh, the whining that ensued.  But, Pappy and Laney are not averse to bribery.  "You may watch ten more minutes of Sponge Bob, when you've cleaned up."  The "littles" parents would never have been permitted to watch Sponge Bob.  But, we've matured in our parenting skills.  I can endure poor cartooning and even poorer dialog for the greater good.  It's #1 in the Grandparent's Creed...."Whatever works".    

It's on....  bedtime rituals:  snacks, PJ's donned, a cursory swipe with the toothbrush.  Okay, maybe the teeth didn't get brushed tonight.  I don't remember.  But the important stuff follows.... who sleeps where, books chosen. 

Our #2 "little" must read (or should I say, look at) the Gold Bug book.  It's a cute little book.  Actually, the title is "Cars, Trucks, and Things that Go" by Richard Scarry; but at our house, it is "The Gold Bug Book."  Somewhere on the page a tiny gold bug is hidden in the picture.  Sleep cannot come until every single little gold bug is discovered. 

I know, I know.  They know exactly where every little gold bug is hiding, and I also know it's a stall tactic to keep the light on just a few more minutes.  Hey, it's been a while, but I was a kid once, too.  You know the drill....  I need a drink of water.  I have to go potty again.  It's too dark in here.  Do you snore?  Do I snore?  Why is the dog making that noise?  Laney, are you asleep?

I'm savoring the moments with our oldest grand, realizing how quickly she's growing up.  She gets to sleep with me.  We started reading "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" last night.  Although at seven, she's an excellent reader, she still loves for me to read to her.  I find a connection to my mama sharing childhood classics with her.  "Rebecca" was written over a hundred years ago, was read by my mother, by me, and now my granddaughter.  Good literature, and art, transcends generations.  Point in fact, will Sponge Bob pass the 100 year test?  Ummm....I don't think so!

When our "littles" daddies were their age, we were busy making ends meet...mortgage, car payments, groceries, medical bills, shoes and clothes for growing feet and bodies.  There never seemed to be enough hours in the day to accomplish everything.  There were piles of dishes, laundry and toys.  Often beds weren't made.  We just dropped into them, exhausted, at the end of the day. 

Time passes so quickly, though.  They don't last forever, those precious moments.  Way too soon...children and grandchildren are too old for lap sitting, being read to, cuddles and tickles.  The Bible says that we "...do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).  In Ephesians 5:15-16, we are reminded to "...walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time...".

I have decided that God gives us grandchildren for the exclusive purpose of redeeming some time. 


Copyright 2013 Charlotte Laney