A Bedtime Story

Sometimes, after a busy day it's tough to fall asleep. After helping daddy make a brew for the first time, giving mommy a hand with brunch, putting on extra good behavior at Mass, meeting new friends, gardening, grilling, and giving everyone so much to smile about, it can be hard to close those little eyes and wait till the sun comes up to resume the fun.

That's when story time can be helpful - a perfect transition from wakefulness to sweet dreams. With the turn of a couple pages a princess and her pea, an engine that could, Horton and his Who, or a ladder to the moon can lull little ones to sleep.

While our library is stocked, tonight I won't be reaching for a book. Tonight, Mary's bedtime story is in my head.

Mary.

As much as you are my daughter. And as much as you are daddy's little girl. You belong to so many more people. Your lineage of love goes on for generations. To your Nana and to your Mimi. To your German Opas. All the way back to your great grandparents and even farther than that.

Today, we said goodbye to a very special part of you. Today, your Great Grandma Barry closed her eyes for the last time and drifted past sleep into a world more beautiful than anything you can imagine. There, she is happily dusting powdered sugar on her nut rolls in God's kitchen while she looks out her window at the love of her life tending the asparagus in God's garden.

I wish you could have met her. You would have loved her as much as I do. But just because you won't get to feel her hugs and squeezes, you will always know her.

You will know her in the framed wall paper in our sun room. It used to hang in her second floor bathroom. And it used to make her laugh and laugh.

You will know her in the rolling pin that mommy uses and the beef birds that mommy makes.

You will know her when mommy tickles your arm and sings you Irish lullabies.

You will know her in the words we use in our house - code words that your classmates won't understand. A fat person is a chab. A fart is a fritzer. Cheers is jivjeli.

You will know her by looking into my eyes - there, you will see hers as well.

You will know her in Nana's kindness, in her thoughtfulness and care.

You will know her in Aunt Dee Dee's Hungarian pastries, in Aunt Amy's stuffed cabbage, and in all the goodness that comes out of Aunt Joyce's big yellow bowl.

You will know her in Uncle Mike's sense of humor and his booming laughter.

You will know her in Aunt Meg's ability to fiesta and in Aunt Kay's sense of style.

You will know her in Aunt Beth's impromptu operatic performances.

When you see all your cousins and watch our family grow and grow, you will know her in the values that we all share. 

Most of all, you will know her in your name. Mary - her favorite woman. The one who she prayed to every day. The one who we saw at Mass today. And the one who is helping her sleep peacefully tonight.

Goodnight Mary.

Goodnight Grandma.

  Lo.