We Own the Night

Like the nocturnal creatures that roam and rule

against the crescent moon

and the sparkly stars cast in the murky, midnight-blue sky,

we own the night.

Night time.

Time to put to bed the fictitious cast of characters

that rule the day;

time to say goodnight to all of the imaginary playthings.

Time to reflect on the blessings that make life worth our strife and struggle.

It’s our special time- just me and my little boy.

We own the night!

The music lured me into his room- “Hey Jude” from Bedtime With the Beatles, softly cooed in the background.  Malachi was STILL awake – 10:30pm, eyes wide open!  I approached his bedside. His eyes wildly pointed to the Dynavox mounted to his bedside; he wanted me to turn it on for him. 

“No, Malachi.  It’s bedtime.  The Dynavox has gone to sleep and so should you!  Go to sleep, baby.”  
Malachi shut his eyes tight, then immediately popped them open.  I laughed out loud. 

“Malachi, did you just go to sleep?”

He blinked, “yes.”  His eyes darted back to the Dynavox and then to me, pleading…

I just shook my head at him as I smiled.  He was trying really hard to persuade me to turn on his communication device - most likely so that he could request a movie to watch.

“Mal, you need your rest.  You can have the Dynavox in the morning.  I promise.”

Malachi glanced longingly at the Dynavox and then back at me.

“How about I lay next to you while you fall off to sleep?  Can I lie down in your bed, Malachi?”

He fluttered his eyes – yes.

I scooted into Malachi’s bed and wrapped his arm across mine.  I looked at him and he looked right back at me, eyes dancing.  I leaned over and planted a ton of juicy kisses on his cheeks.

“I’m cold Malachi.  Can you share your blanket with me?”

Malachi fluttered his eyes, yes.

I grabbed his hand and placed mine over his.  Together we pulled the edges of his orange, Kente blanket across me.

“Thank you, Malachi.”

  His eyes fluttered.

We lay quietly together staring at the shapes on the ceiling as an all-instrumental version of “Penny Lane” hummed in the background.  Niiiice… 

At the close of the song, I peeked over at Malachi to see if sleep was beckoning.  Nope.  He was looking right at me! 

“Malachi, aren’t you sleepy?”

Long blink – Nooooooo!

I smirked and rolled my eyes.

“Ok, let’s see.  Let’s name all of the people who love  Malachi, okay?”

Quick flutter – yes.

“Does Mommy love Malachi?”

 Flutter, flutter – yes.

“Does Daddy love Malachi?”

 Flutter, flutter – yes.

Does Joshua love Malachi?”

Flutter, flutter – yes.

“Does Roscoe (our dog) love Malachi?”

 Blank stare.

“What about Nan?  Does Nan love Malachi?”

 Flutter, flutter – yes.

“Do Malachi’s nurses love Malachi?”

 Flutter, flutter – yes.  He was enjoying our exchange.

“Does our church family love Malachi?”

 Flutter, flutter – yes.

“And what about God?  Does God love Malachi?”

 Flutter, flutter, flutter! YES!!!

“That’s a lot of love, Malachi!”

 More emphatic flutters. 

My heart somersaulted with joy! It never ceases to amaze me that with all that Malachi has going on, he gets it; he knows that God truly loves him.  When I think about Malachi accepting his challenges, yet understanding God’s infinite love for him, I think about this bible scripture:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  2 Corinthians 4: 8-10

For me, that scripture says that the weight of our "cross" does not out weigh the love of our God. The infinite love of God restores, heals and liberates. And like Jesus, our suffering won't be in vain; we have our own resurrection to look forward to.  The remarkable gift of God's love is His saving grace.

Moments later, Malachi drifted off to sleep, but not before I snuggled him close and whispered this prayer in his ear:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day.  Thank you for your love, your mercy and your grace.  Thank you, God, for this special little boy who uses his eyes to speak his heart.  Thank you for the angels who protect and watch over us during the night.  Thank you for the stars and heaven that manifest dreams we never, ever imagined.  And thank you, Lord, for the magic of night; for her whispers of wisdom found in the still, quiet moments of your peace & amazing grace.  AMEN