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 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