Growing up we didn’t have a specific religion. It was more like a buffet of world theologies. And that was nice. I went to church occasionally with my godfather Brian, who took that role seriously. I am certain that this is where my love for choral singing began. It was also an amazing feeling once I actually figured out how to read a hymnal. Seriously, it took forever.

For all of these experiences I’m so very thankful. I have a keen understanding of the Christian faith and can communicate easily with people who practice religion. Which is a super bonus because I live in a highly Christian locale.

I remember watching children on television kneel next to their beds at bedtime, clasp their fingers, close their eyes, and offer up daily prayers to God. Before prayer became so culturally blasé.

And then there’s always this little gem from Shel Silverstein:

Prayer of the selfish child

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 toys to break.

So none of the other kids can use ‘em. . . .

Amen.

 

Knowing that my mom was raised Catholic, and would clearly know how to fashion a prayer off the cuff, I told her that I too wanted to say a prayer before bedtime. This prayer became part of our bedtime routine for many many years. Along with the final words of the day, “Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite!” Luckily, if you were concerned, there were no bugs and I was always awakened by my mother chiming, “Rise and shine!” In hindsight they were wonderful bookends to my childhood days. One day, when Porter sleeps past 5:45am I’ll wake him the same way. Someday.

I digress. I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to pass the tradition of a bedtime prayer onto Porter. He’s still learning it and we get to talk about who all of the people are in his life that we are sending blessings to. I love when he asks to say a blessing before we cuddle in bed. It goes like this:

Please bless
Mommy and Daddy
Uncles and Aunts
Friends and Cousins
Sisters and Brothers
Grandmas and Grandpas
All the world
Amen.