This is a love letter of sorts.
Years ago, before I was even married, I picked up a buttercup yellow Life is Good nightshirt. I’d always been a tee-shirt sleeper kind of gal and this certainly fit the bill (while giving me the necessary modest protection advocated by my mother if I ever needed to evacuate my home in the middle of the night.)
That nightshirt has seen much over the years.
A rescued greyhound that had to learn how to trust me after being horribly abused. Eventually he felt comfortable enough to sleep on my bed.
A boyfriend who then became a husband.
A move into a new town, a new house.
Baby, after baby, after baby, after baby, after baby, after baby.
My nightshirt and I got up countless times in the night to sooth a child awakened by dreams. “Hush, little one, there are no monsters here.”
Countless times I nursed infants in that shirt. The raised fabric cradling my babies. I’d hold the bunched fabric under their chins. “Yes, you like butter” I’d coo.
As my kids grew and learned language and colors, they called it my “sunny” shirt when I came into the room. Comforted by the reminder of sunlight, a new day coming with the always positive message of “Life is Good.”
As I’d leave their room to go back to my bed, they’d be reminded one last time by the image on the back of every mother’s prayer for her children – Life is Good.
Life is Good.
My kids are older now. Some have moved out, more are planning to.
My nightshirt has done its job. It’s filled with holes and is kitten-fur soft from all the wear, held together only by memories woven through broken threads.
The colors have faded into a dim recollection of what they once were.
I really should retire it.
But it’s those memories that cause me to hesitate.
Because even though threadbare, it holds a message that I will always want my kids to hear.
No matter how old they get.
No matter how old I get.
Life is Good.
Life is Good.
Lesson Learned – Always remember your mother’s prayer for you –
Life is Good.
Life is Good.
***
Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
Also, join me on Facebook to find out more about the flock (children and chickens) and see some pretty funny chicken jokes, photos of tiny houses, and even a recipe or two.
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