In the evenings, we met, each boy and I
before they outgrew bed-time chronicles
stories, songs and tandem prayers
two soul stories in dust jackets
sitting side-by-side
for bed-time wind-downs
young stories barely smudged
the other frayed about the edges,
faded and life worn
the littlest, they recently outgrew
sleepy time under the moon
and it was a slow journey there –
a 26-year 5-boy slow, sweet journey
until nearing the end
the journey travels at light speed
to the last bedtime chronicle
The pages of my soul story remember
how we met 365 moon-downs for 10 years each
recorded in the soul stories of 6 dust jackets
met in in the quilts and pillows
book-stacks and beanie puppies
entering Margaret Wise Brown’s green room
with its red balloons and a cow jumping over the moon,
looking outside bedtime windows
to see if moon-shapes resemble
raccoon whiskers and ears
A mother following a run-away bunny
A bunny running away from mother love
Who like the tortoise to the hare
kept loving in unconditional pace
in all kinds of places
high and low places
Not giving up
The pages of my soul story remember
how we loved to the tips of our ears
past tree tops and cirrus clouds
reaching skyward to star sparkles and moon beams
And when our fingers couldn’t reach high enough
We’d stand on our heads, feet against the walls
Toes stretched out
To see who could love the fartherest
“I love you to the moon and back,” I read
And each little guy’s face would split into a grin
“I love you to God’s beard”
And I would love them to God’s beard and back
They don’t quite understand how far
A mother’s love spans
from sunrise to moondown
these dust jackets that close to sleepy sings
of Simply Gifts
Be near me Lord Jesus
Stay by my cradle till morning is near
And drowsy eyes would close
twitchy fingers that just didn’t want to pry
its tenacious grip off the day
Would still
as moon stories and moon songs
trailed off to hushed lullaby lines
I see the moon and the moon sees me
God sees the moon and God sees me
God bless the moon and God bless me
God bless somebody I don’t see
and little boys sleep quiet
watched by a Father God
who made him the moon and the stars
who reaches down
to bring him back
from the high and low places
of sunrise to moondown
Good night red balloon and bunny runs
Good night simple gifts and God-sees sings
I will remember for they are written
into my soul story,
bound in my dust jacket
the soul stories of always loving
you to-God’s Beard and Back
always loving
unconditionally as you run down your path
of your God-created story
walking out your soul story
in your dust jacket
Blue Cotton Memory 
I love this “to God’s beard and back,” and your “God created story..” so much beauty here in this love-filled ritual.
Wow…beautiful! Made me cry.
Beautiful…
How fine! Beautiful writing, but also beautiful memories etched in and around every corner of these books and the time with the children. As a retired elementary teacher and children’s librarian, I so know these precious books and love that CAN be shared through them. Well done. Caring through Christ, ~ linda
This was gorgeous!
Oh, *tears*, Maryleigh. This was stunning, in every way. Oh, just thank you for this. How you inspire me. “To God’s beard and back”–I’m so using that. I can see you standing on your heads, the moon shining in–a great concrete words write. I’m highlighting this on my blog today–sharing on social media. Love you!
I love this. Glad to find your writing!
Your posts often make me want to cry. My sweet almost 8-year old girl is growing up way too fast. I miss the younger years already. Much love!
” Father God
who made him the moon and the stars
who reaches down
to bring him back
from the high and low places
of sunrise to moondown”
I LOVE THIS!!!
So beautiful. If we could just keep them needing their bed-time wind downs. God loves rituals–daily devotions, communion, worship…all the times we come together regularly.
So many beautiful memories through books! I’ve been cleaning off bookshelves the past several months, and there are so many I have sentimental attachments too and I must hold on to them.
Wow! What a beautiful poem full of sweet memories!
I ADORED this. You made me feel this journey of your boys growing up. Beautiful.
What precious mother thoughts!
You remind me so much of all the times I have spent just being little with my boys! Today they are grown men, but their worlds inside my heart are so empty and I long for those times we played together, loved together and lived together in a small, little world of make-believe.
Much love, dear friend
Mia
I gave my precious daughter away two days ago. It seems just yesterday she was begging for “just one more. . . chapter, book, push on the swing, dollar for the ice cream man.” The on the eve of her wedding day, she asked one last time, for one more kiss goodnight.” Bittersweet. Visiting today from Hungry for God; Starving for Time today and glad I did 🙂
oh, Mary Leigh, I love your imagery of dust jackets, and of the treasured moments you have spent with your boys reading at bedtime…so beautiful and I feel your deep unconditional mama’s heart 🙂
These beautiful word-memories brought tears to my mama-eyes. Our boys are grown men now, but I can remember sitting for hours reading to them… Even as they got older, they loved for me to read ‘chapter’ books to them. Love those books with tiny chocolate fingerprints and frayed edges. Thanks for such beautiful words!
I’m so glad you visited my place!
Blessings to you ~ Mary
beautifully written! God Bless. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
Beautiful, clever and with emotion and nostalgia. I like the way you pulled children’s lit together and gave us a glimpse into how you played with it in your family.