I always check in on my children through the night. I did it constantly, pathologically even, the first time around. I’d been terrified by tales of ‘cot death’ and thought that if I didn’t check in on my newborn every five minutes he might die as a result of my neglect. Once I had my second, I calmed down a little: if hadn’t, I would have made myself ill.
The moon shines right through their window at this time of year: last week it was the harvest moon. I watched their peaceful, moon-kissed faces and I felt a sudden contentment as my fear left me:
“In their dreams
they sleep with the moon.”
These lines came to me, and I remembered how the moon once sang them a song on a TV show: ‘I’m your light in the night sky.’ And you are mine.
Tonight Merril is our host for dVerse Prosery Monday: Moonbeams and Moon Dreams. She has asked for a prose piece of 144 words or less to include the following lines from Mary Oliver, “Death at Wind River”:
“In their dreams
they sleep with the moon.”
How ironic that I used the prompt to convey the comfort of my children sleeping peacefully, given the context of the original poem. However, I think a comforting piece is in order after my previous piece: Prognosis Dea(r)th.
Curiously just been listening to Harvest Moon by Neil Young xx love Jennifer xx
I’m glad this mother found some peace. Funny how those songs can mean so much.
Just something soothing to remind them they’re in a safe place.
Oh, this is truly beautiful. Wow. <3 <3 Amazing and wonderful writing, yet again. This is so heartfelt!
This is so poignant 🙂 I believe as parents we are bound to worry .. but I am glad you found some respite ❤️
Yes, I don’t suppose there’s anything that unusual about it. But we can’t let fears stop us from living!
To constantly worry must be hard… once you have found peace it must be wonderful to have the wonderful moon.
The number of new mothers who check that their baby is still breathing! I think we’ve all been there 🙂
Yes, perfectly normal but I think the more children you have, the more calm about these things you must become. Otherwise you would go mad!
I slept with all my babies so I didn’t worry. I think there’s a push to get babies into their own beds and their own rooms when they ought to be still with their mother. I’m not sure what point is being made, but it seems counter-intuitive to me.
I slept with both of mine until at least 18 months and I’m inclined to agree with you!
With the first one, at first I was afraid I’d roll over and squash her. I soon got too tired to care, and after that, I only ever saw the advantages.
Exactly the same happened to me: he only started sleeping through the night once we slept together. Perhaps the formula milk industry would prefer our babies to be separated from us so they are less likely to breastfeed…
The magazines that parents read (rather than ask their own parents for advice) have been telling us for years that the first thing you do when you’re pregnant is start preparing the baby’s room so everything will be ready, the mobile installed over the cot, the changing table and all the useless junk they insinuate if you don’t have will make you an irresponsible parent. I’m sure you’re right, it’s to do with the baby formula, that’s also handily enough approved of by the new father stuff—how unfair it is that men can’t join in the fun of feeding the baby.
Oh yes, I remember those days. I was a pretty calm mother, but I remember being afraid to take a shower unless my husband was home when my first was a newborn.😀
I remember that too! I didn’t even want to go in the other room to make a cup of tea 😅
😀
I can identify, with the worry it cones with the mothering kit. Nice write. Enjoyed the little muppets singing
Happy Monday
Much💛love
Thank you so much! Sorry for not replying sooner, it seems WordPress has been spamming all my lovely comments!
That’s something I missed once my daughter had grown up, checking on her through the night, and your prose brought that back to me, Ingrid. If I lived closer to her, I could have done the same for my grandson more often. It’s magical to see children’s faces bathed in moonlight. Lucas used to love watching Moon and Me on Cbeebies – my daughter’s favourite character was Mr Onion. 😊.
My youngest son loved ‘Pepi-Nana’ 😊
I really like how you pulled the past into the present and made it fresh and wonderful.
Thank you, Lisa. So sorry I didn’t reply sooner – I’ve just discovered a lot of comments in spam which really shouldn’t be!
You’re welcome and worries, been there done that.
a soothing comforting piece … they sound very safe and cozy!
Yes, it’s always a nice time when they are tucked up safe and warm!
yes a moment for you to breath!
“I see the moon, the moon sees me. God bless the moon, and God Bless me” lyric came to mind. I remember those nervous new-mother days!
You made me think of another one: ‘The children were nestled all snug in their beds;/
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;’ 🌝
I love your sweet story. I am sure you are not the only parent who worried about SIDS! I love the way you incorporated the prompt line!
Thank you Dwight!
Ah… first time mothers. It does get easier with the next ones! Sweet story.
Thank you, Dale! So sorry I didn’t reply sooner, I’ve just discovered many beautiful comments in my spam queue, all from sites which I follow? WordPress strangeness!
I’m not surprised. I’m finding out my comments often go to spam when I use my phone. WP is a pain in the patootie.
What mother has not struggled with those moments? Especially, since we all knew someone who lost a child.
Much love in this Ingrid. Gentle and engaging writing!
I love that you and your children found comfort in the moon. I just now read the poem that the line came from; glad I waited until after I wrote!
I love this! I remember those days. <3 The moon is a great companion. There is something so motherly about the moon.
Certainly – maybe it’s linked to our cycles or something, or maybe that’s a myth but there does seem to be that maternal connection.