Warm as toast and perfumed with imaginary flowers, why those freshly-laundered sheets invite flight her spirit insists! Giggles float like bubbles from a magic wand, burst too soon by a mama's weary prick.
Princess superintends this routine. Once a white Persian of regal bearing, now dethroned following an unfortunate incident involving a child's stomach virus–unforgivable indignity–not once, but twice! Princess is Velveteen Rabbit, an indistinguishable one-eyed mass of love- and vomit-matted acrylic fur.
"It's time for BED, PLEASE stop jumping!" Feeble demands are met by blue eyes dancing, not so much a challenge as a call for me to join; impassive brown eyes answer by impatiently smoothing imaginary wrinkles. Waves of lilac and lapis roll atop her bed and curly locks peek out from a tangle of well-worn percale. Threads won't be counted for years.
Calculating the end of my tether, she surfaces then bounces to the floor. I think "10" but gold medals are reserved for feats of lesser significance, and besides, IT'S TIME FOR BED and I cannot let her know I'm memorizing this moment.
I know much too soon she'll forget she can fly.
*sigh* I love the way you write. I feel like I’m there. Thanks for reminding me to cherish the moments. Love you!
As we struggle with the bedtime routine many nights, I can relate! I know my three won’t be little for very long, so I have to remind myself to cherish each moment instead of trying to rush it along.