My spouse and I just compared our childhood bedtime prayers.\u00a0 I find that hers were much more humane than mine, and they reflect the differences in our personalities.<\/p>\n
Hers<\/em>:<\/p>\n Father we thank Thee for the night Help us to do the things we should, God bless… (list of names)<\/p>\n Mine<\/em>:<\/p>\n Now I lay me down to sleep God bless… (list of names)<\/p>\n I remember rushing through my prayers to get it over and done with, and I never thought about the meaning of the words I was reciting until years later.\u00a0 But the interesting part, the freestyle section if you will, was the “God bless” verse.\u00a0 That part didn’t have to rhyme and you just had to name people.\u00a0 Of course, the names of the blessed also became rote.\u00a0 For me, it went like this:<\/p>\n God bless Mommy and Daddy Amen <\/em>followed boy<\/em> like tail follows dog.<\/p>\n There must have been one night that turned out to be the last night I recited this prayer.\u00a0 Maybe it was this night, November 3, in the year 1959 or 1960 or 1961, who knows.<\/p>\n What I can say is, the good boy may be gone but my soul is still here.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My spouse and I just compared our childhood bedtime prayers.\u00a0 I find that hers were much more humane than mine, and they reflect the differences in our personalities. Hers: Father we thank Thee for the night And for the pleasant … Continue reading
\nAnd for the pleasant morning light
\nFor rest and peace and loving care
\nAnd all that makes the world so fair.<\/p>\n
\nto be to others kind and good.
\nIn all we do in work or play
\nTo grow more loving every day.<\/p>\n
\n
\nI pray the Lord my soul shall keep
\nIf I should die before I wake
\nI pray the Lord my soul shall take.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\nand Aunt Pearl and Elaine
\nand please make me a good boy Amen.<\/p>\n
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