My ten year old daughter, Savannah, has had difficulty staying in her bed at night. "I just don't like being alone," is her best verbal offering, despite the fact she's been in her own room since age two. Why the sudden angst with my most independent child?
At least 20 mornings last month I was waking to find her either cuddled (more like smashed) between me and the nightstand...OR crammed in with little bro in his twin bed. Seven-year-old Sunshine Sawyer was much more of a sport about it than Daddy and I.
Two weeks ago, plagued by kinked neck #10, I decided it was Intervention Time. A sleeping-all-by-herself chart was created -incentives attached- and she seemed determined. After an earnest bedtime prayer and my best "YOU choose to cast out your own fears" motivational speech, I sat on the edge of her bed, held her hand, and looked deeply into her royal blue eyes. "You can do this," I assured her. "You are so much stronger than you think, sweetie." A look of sudden knowing passed over her countenance and she said to me, "'Night, Mommy."
So...I walk away...and I'm thinking to myself...as I strut down the hall, "Hey," (side click of the mouth; one eyebrow raised; head cocked to the side), "I reeeally got through to my kid." Yeah! I'm big. I'm bad. I'm...absolutely clueless.
I was giving her assurances of her own strength, but she knew where it originated. I sauntered into her room at midnight, and with a lump in my throat, beheld the following scene:
My mother gave this picture to Savannah at her baptism and it's always seemed to hold personal significance to her. "Buzzy Boo" (the fave stuffed tiger) is crushed against her, but she walked all the way across her room that night to get this picture of the Savior off her dresser.So she could hold onto Him.
I praised her the next morning for knowing in whom she has trusted, and thanked her for teaching me about courage. Beaming, she says to me, "Mom, I felt like He was with me last night."
Sleeping by herself hasn't been much of a problem since. We both know she's not reeeeally sleeping alone after all.
Here are some shots I took of Savannie (in her awake state!) today. I caught her exuding pure joy at her reflection in the mirror (When was the last time I did THAT?)
12 comments:
Cherie
Your blog is beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for your messages of purpose and love! I hope to come to your Retreat in Delta the first part of May.
Cherie,
You are amazing! Love your blog and added you to mine. I love spring it really motivates us to move forward and let our passions blossom! We should talk....do lunch :)
How sweet is that?! Thanks for sharing!
I loved reading these posts... so easy to connect to:-) Thanks for sharing the Twelve Reasons to Learn at the Feet of Our Children. I'm speaking on a similar topic for a 5 Pillar group presentation tonight and this is just what I needed to read! Thank you :)
Kids are such constant and simple reminders of "great faith". Your blog is great! Glad to have you in the blogosphere!
What a sweet experience. I have a lot to learn from you about raising children! KEEP WRITING!!!! I'll send you an invite to my blog.
Yay! I am so glad you decided to join the blogging world. You are an inspiration to me and so many women, of living your faith and radiating beauty. It will be wonderful to be able to
read your inspirational words on a more regular basis now. Thanks for sharing your blog with us. I am definitely adding it to my blog roll!
What a great story and it's wonderful that you've written it down. It's priceless in fact. Something she can draw strength from down the road. Who is the artist of the picture she has with her. I really like it. I'm so glad to be able to have a place to go for inspiration and encouraging words. Keep up the writing. Oh, and my blog is www.mlruiz.blogspot.com
This is so touching Cherie. I love your blog. It is so inspiring...I hope you keep writing. LOVE you.
You probably dont remember me, but you approached me once at an event, and you were so sweet, I still have not forgot you. Thank you for being such a wonderful person! I loved this post. I cant wait to read other posts.
Cherie....that was the most inspiring story to me....we have had the bedtime not so fun experiences the last little while, and this really inspired me to just sit down and talk to Holland about her fears! Thanks so much for your inspiration! You are amazing!!!!
So are you blogging now? For reals? Or just teasing?
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