Because you know that you would be remembered?
Well, that just happened to me.
To understand how I’ve arrived at this conclusion, you have to know this:
That our family has its ROUTINES when it comes to bedtime.
Set in stone.
Don’t mess with this.
There will be cosmic significance.
Routines.
Allow me to describe said ROUTINE . . .
There are several steps beginning with the Bath and the all-important choosing and donning of the PJs. Then the nearly as important bedtime snack (or three) followed by the brushing-of-the-biters. (Probably the least favourite part of the whole getting-ready-for-bed routine.) Once the teeth are shiny, we have prayers, story reading and lights out.
Then the song.
The culmination of the whole sequence.
This song, like the story and prayer, can vary, depending on the mood of the child.
It just doesn’t.
For this part, you need a bit of background . . .
When our oldest grandchild was two, she had her first sleep-over with Gramma and Grampa. Gramma sang Gramma’s favourite ‘sleepy’ song, Morningtown Ride.
And, unwittingly created a legacy.
Now every grandchild, whether going to sleep at Gramma’s or at home, has to have Morningtown Ride sung.
At least once.
How do I know this?
During a holiday, our DIL, Barb, was putting her two youngest chicklets to bed.
And suddenly, from their bedroom came the familiar words Train whistle blowing . . .
Later, DIL explained that every one of her children—and their cousins—have to have that song sung every night.
Allow me to describe said ROUTINE . . .
There are several steps beginning with the Bath and the all-important choosing and donning of the PJs. Then the nearly as important bedtime snack (or three) followed by the brushing-of-the-biters. (Probably the least favourite part of the whole getting-ready-for-bed routine.) Once the teeth are shiny, we have prayers, story reading and lights out.
Then the song.
The culmination of the whole sequence.
This song, like the story and prayer, can vary, depending on the mood of the child.
It just doesn’t.
For this part, you need a bit of background . . .
When our oldest grandchild was two, she had her first sleep-over with Gramma and Grampa. Gramma sang Gramma’s favourite ‘sleepy’ song, Morningtown Ride.
And, unwittingly created a legacy.
Now every grandchild, whether going to sleep at Gramma’s or at home, has to have Morningtown Ride sung.
At least once.
How do I know this?
During a holiday, our DIL, Barb, was putting her two youngest chicklets to bed.
And suddenly, from their bedroom came the familiar words Train whistle blowing . . .
Later, DIL explained that every one of her children—and their cousins—have to have that song sung every night.
It was truly brought home during a ‘cousin’s sleepover’ (pre Covid). Gramma was putting all the younger girls, and one boy, ages 6 to 10) to bed. When it was time for the culminating song, the unanimous choice was (you guessed it) Morningtown Ride. When Gramma started to sing, six little voices joined in. (And then carried on alone because Gramma was crying.)
Yep. Gramma could die tomorrow.
And she’d be remembered.
Wanna hear the song? Morningtown Ride
Yep. Gramma could die tomorrow.
And she’d be remembered.
Wanna hear the song? Morningtown Ride
Love that song! I'd never heard of it. I can see how its slow, beautiful cadence can make little eyelids grow heavy. What a wonderful gramma.
ReplyDeleteYou've made my day, Laurie!
DeleteO my gosh. Could this be any more wholesome? I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Carol! Wholesome. I love that word!
DeleteIt is a beautiful song - and a wonderful way to be remembered.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I think!
DeleteI sure knew the Seekers, but I have never known this song. What a story, what a tradition. But better yet, you brought back a memory of a lullaby from my childhood, and I am going to link to this post tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAlana, I SO loved hearing your lullaby story. What a sweet, tender experience! And thank you for the call back. You are so kind!
DeleteI remember the song very well, as sung by The Seekers, an Australian group. I don't know if any others did a version. I don't recall ever being sung to sleep or even read to, we did our own reading in bed before lights out. it was a different story when my kids were little, they had bedtime stories, sometimes read from a book, sometimes made up by me.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the idea of making up the bedtime story! I'll have to try that!
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to be remebered.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charlotte! I makes me so happy!
DeleteOh, I haven't listened to that song for a good long time. Thanks for sharing the link and sharing the personal story about your family.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for joining us, Karen!
DeleteThis is so cool! There's nothing like sticking to family traditions.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, Marcia! I can hear Tevye singing it now!
DeleteSuch a lovely tradition, and a sweet legacy, indeed. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I sang lullabies anyway to my small children every night. Included in the round up was always "Oh Canada." A strange choice, maybe. But since my kids were born in the US, but hold dual US/Canada citizenship, I was determined they would know the words!
ReplyDeleteYou are a true gem, Susan! How wonderful to help them keep their Canadian roots as well!
DeleteBeautiful song, beautiful tradition. You rock the Gramma scene.
ReplyDelete