JUST IN CASE
My youngest was curled up on our overstuffed couch in the fetal position, her head pushed against the back of the cushion, hair blanketing her cheek. She had dragged two of the oversized pillows over her for makeshift blankets, one over her bare feet and one over her midsection. There were others within reach just in case.As I looked on smiling, I had flashbacks to her childhood of bedtime rituals from days long past.
“Can we do whooshings, daddy?” she’d ask almost nightly for a time.
“Okay, babe, whooshings it is,” I’d agree.
She quickly learned how to count to three when it came to whooshings. Numbers one and two were like practice runs for the real deal that was exciting number three. I’d hold my little one, cradling her in my forearms as I rocked her back and forth twisting my body in the process to fling her sailing through the air and onto our king size bed. She couldn’t get enough of it.
Then there was the season of “The wrong bed” ritual.
“Will you put me to bed, dad?” She was a little older, longer arms and legs dangling over my forearms.
“Sure, babe,” I’d say in a serious tone for effect. I’d scoop up my snaggle-toothed treasure and head for odd places, and we tried everything over the years. I’d lay her gently on the dining room table, kiss her forehead and whisper, “Goodnight, babe, love you, sleep tight,”
She’d pause grinning uncontrollably, “uhh, dad?”
“Yeah, babe?” I’d ask.
“Umm, this isn’t my bed,” she’d giggle.
“What?” I’d ask with surprise, “Oh-okay,” I’d add and scoop her up again and whisk her off to the kitchen island, an occasional pinball machine, and even the dog’s bed a time or two.
Eventually, she did end up in her real bed, satisfied, we both were. We’d say prayers and exchange “I love you’s” and put another gift of a day behind us…
Then one day the number of days added up to seventeen years and the nighttime rituals had become just a sweet memory…
I grinned seeing my baby curled up asleep on the couch as I was shutting off all the lights and locking the doors in the one ritual that hasn’t changed. Melancholy filled my heart and eyes as I watched our baby in the same position she slept in as a child. I grabbed a few blankets out of the other room and as I was draping them over her she woke up, her button brown eyes squinting.
“You wanna go to bed?” I asked in a whisper.
She smiled, “I’m so comfortable here,” she answered.
“That’s okay,” I told her softly as I spread the last blanket over her shoulder. I kissed her on her cheek, just like I did in the days of “whooshings” and “the wrong bed” and whispered yet again, “I love you, babe.”
“Love you too, dad,” she whispered back, eyes already closed again. I turned the light on in the pantry and cracked the door to shed light on the course I knew she’d be taking to the “right bed” before morning.
I’ve learned to not pass up the gifts from God in this life that are more valuable than silver and gold and as fleeting as a breath. We never know in this life when we’re participating in the last day of a ritual or gift.
I guess that’s why they tell us to cherish each one like it’s your last… I did a few nights ago… just in case.
Betty Draper
Sunday, September 27, 2015 @ 3:24 pm
Sweet post Floyd, aren’t you glad you have good memories to look back on as they grow and leave your nest. I know we worked very hard to build them and our grown children love to talk about the ones that stuck in their hearts. Now we get to do it with the grand children and let me tell you brother there is an extra sweetness to it. I have often wondered when we get to heaven our Father will call us to remembrance of those sweet times we had with Him here on earth. This post brings out the tenderness in us as we read, thanks.
Cheryl Smith
Sunday, September 27, 2015 @ 5:53 pm
Oh, my word…what a tear-jerker! So precious to think back on all of those memories! Why do they have to grow up so fast? You are an amazing Dad, and those girls will never forget the love you have poured into them over the years. So thankful you shared this heartwarming post, brother. God bless you and your family in a special way. 🙂
Cynthia
Sunday, September 27, 2015 @ 5:56 pm
Good Evening Floyd,
More precious than silver and gold, the memories of joyful times with our babies~ I enjoyed your post! Yes, the memories we made with our sweet babies are filled with love and joy…. Both of my children are in college and they often talk about their childhood memories. Oh, how I miss those times, but I am also enjoying the new memories we are making, as a family. I reminisce and hold close to my heart, the past memories and I look forward to the new ones we are making every time the “big kids” visit. Blessings and joy to you and yours~
Voni
Sunday, September 27, 2015 @ 11:24 pm
Sweet memories seem to come in the year or two just before they fly the nest… That’s a gift, too. Thanks for sharing!
Betty Jo
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 2:17 am
Oh how totally precious, Floyd! What a wonderful father you are. And, your a super good writer too!!
Ed
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 3:09 am
This post rocked! 🙂
I only wish I had been in your place…that is, with a child of my own. But God didn’t have that in His plans for me.
Still, I love reading some sweet memories of fatherhood from others.
Pam
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 5:17 am
Beautiful writing, Floyd. Your words paint such a vivid picture of mutual love.
Joanne Norton
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 7:10 am
As usual, you shared well. Made me smile. Bless you, Bro.
Lisa notes
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 9:59 am
“Then one day the number of days added up to seventeen years and the nighttime rituals had become just a sweet memory…”
Aack. This makes me miss the days of putting little ones to bed. 🙁 We’ll just have to relive those days (well, create new ones) when our littles have their own babies and we get to babysit. 😉
You’re right that we never know when anything will be the last time….
June
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 12:54 pm
Oh, my! How blessed you are, Floyd, to recognize the gift!
Hazel Moon
Monday, September 28, 2015 @ 5:45 pm
Be sure to keep up the ritual of saying “I love you baby.” because that is so important. What a sweet post as you gather memories of the days she is still under your roof. Our four all left and eventually came back for short seasons when events called for a return home. Even Nancy and hubby came for a month until their apartment was ready. We were glad we had the extra space, but if we did not – we can always make do. Couches can be a blessing.
Thanks Floyd for a lovely post and for sharing with us at Tell me a Story.
Bill (cycleguy)
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 @ 7:39 am
Miss those days from time to time. now my grandson is beyond them also.
Lynn D. Morrissey
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 @ 9:04 am
This is such a beautiful, poignant, nostalgic post. Floyd, about your lovely “baby” all grown up, but still your baby, after all and always! Honestly, you whooshed me right back to my own daughter’s fleeting childhood. Wow, yes, time just whooshes on by and if we are not careful, our moments will whoosh past, unnoticed! Thank you for this solemn, yet inviting reminder, to cherish every, single moment of our loved ones’ lives. Love this post, Floyd!
Love
Lynn
Jennifer Dougan
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 @ 2:37 pm
Sweet memories with your girls, Floyd. My youngest son and I play a similar game with the “wrong way to put on a pillow or a blanket.” “Like this?” with the pillow on top, or the blanket baring his toes, etc. He grins and laughs along.
Smiling with you,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Sharon
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 @ 7:30 pm
Oh Floyd, you needed to warn me that I’d need kleenex! This was such a precious post, the sweetest sort of sentiments from a fun and oh-so-loving father. I chuckled at the whooshing and wrong-bed stories. And now, I could picture the moment when your grown-up daughter looked like her younger self. These times are treasures indeed. Every now and then, I see the *boy* in my grown sons, and I recall the moments when they were young. Cherished moments of then, cherished moments of now.
The Lord is good. He gives us these sprinkles of the joy to come – when in eternity we’ll all rest in perfect, eternal, childlike peace…
GOD BLESS!
saleslady371
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
Today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present. I enjoyed your story of how you embraced that special moment as your little girl has grown and you’re making sure you take advantage of every opportunity to kiss her goodnight while she is under your roof. You’ve shared wonderful memories with us. Thank you for the glimpse into your living room with all the special loving touches.
Dolly@Soulstops
Thursday, October 1, 2015 @ 2:52 pm
Floyd,
Yes, definitely more precious than gold or silver…for you and for her…what a precious gift to both of you…I’m thankful our girl has that kind of memories with her dad 🙂
Nancy Kehr
Saturday, October 3, 2015 @ 11:40 am
“I’ve learned to not pass up the gifts from God in this life that are more valuable than silver and gold and as fleeting as a breath” this was my absolutely favorite take away from this whole piece. It is certainly bittersweet when time moves us – and them – along so that those memory-making opportunities as not as prevalent. Things move along so quickly that we often do not SEE those gifts until its too late. Open my eyes Lord… Thanks for the wonderful, peace-laden love-sharing post.
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Sunday, October 4, 2015 @ 11:37 pm
You blink and they are grown up and blink again they are out on their own. What a sweet story of your “little girl”. Enjoy every moment, my house is now empty, lol, and it is way too quiet. Blessings!