Our “Gratitudes” and Our Prayers – The Tools of Recovery

The family van rounded the corner moving towards home. Christmas fun and celebration at the Dickens’ Festival had come to a close. The car was filled with sounds of three “over-Christmas-ed” kids. My daughter (the mother) turned the radio up one more notch, but the children could not be out done or quieted even by Burl Ives and one more round of “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!” It was a car full of tired kids, not to mention the tired parents.

“When we get home we need to hurry really fast, have a snack and get into bed,” announced the Mother hopefully.

She anticipated that in less that twenty minutes time maybe, just maybe her three under six would be “nestled all snug in their wee little beds.” Never mind the “visions of sugar plums dancing in wee heads” as long as they get into bed and stay there!

Her plans were to be amended though. A voice of sanity came from the back of the car, from the car seat of the little blond boy with blue eyes that fade with the day. “But mom we need to remember to say our “gratitudes” and our prayers.”

Sometimes I’m tempted to allow my “dailies,” my daily traditions to fly out the window to make room for all the Christmas traditions. In my daughter’s home, every night before bed the family gathers. They go around and each family member shares something they are grateful for. Then they have a prayer together as a family. Finally each child kneels and speaks personally to Heavenly Father, the little ones with the help of a parent.

On tired long days this daily ritual may not seem time effective or energy efficient, but it is the most important tradition of all, beyond trees and lights and packages and Christmas lists. Even a three year old knows that.

After my “jamies” are on and I unplug the tree and switch off the lights that dawn our house, I want to remember the one critical tradition, the one that even a three year old knows is vital to the completion of the day. When I’m tempted to fall into bed may I hear the echo of a little voice saying, ““But Grandma, we need to remember to say our “gratitudes” and our prayers.”

By Nannette W.
Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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