I think most parents would agree that the time their kids spend away from them is like a little black box. Even though it is refreshing to be away from them once in a while, after the fact I find myself almost rabid with curiosity: what did they act like while I was gone? Was it the same way they act when I'm there? What funny things did they say and do? In other words, what is my child like when I'm not there to coach and guide her?
Last night, I got a special peek inside the little black box. Miriam wasn't feeling well all day yesterday, and in the middle of the night I sat up with her for a while because she had a fever. I gave her some medicine and then lay down in her bed with her and stroked her hair while I waited for it to kick in so she could feel better and get some rest.
She was finally calming down, so I gave her a kiss, tucked her in, and went back to my own room. But first, I stopped by the bathroom to wash my hands of any germs. And that's how I happened to be walking by her partially closed door when I overheard her say a prayer. It was so precious that even in my sleepy state I made sure to memorize it. It went like this:
Heavenly Father,
Please bless me to not cough so much,
And why are there so many junks in there?
And please help me to sleep until the clock says seven--
--I mean eight.
And please bless Madgalena that she won't wake up in the middle of the night and cry,
And please bless me to not have so many boogers in my nose.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Amen.