Candle in the Window

"Will Mommy be here to tuck me in tonight?"

"Sure, Sugar. Mommy will be here before bedtime."

"But I'm already in bed, silly. Does that mean it's bedtime now? Should we turn out the light?"

"We'll keep the light on, and the window candle will start up in just a few minutes. Mommy knows that bedtime is when the sun goes home for hot chocolate and the moon comes out to light its way. She knows that the candle in the window is there to help the moon. So she isn't fooled about little girls already in bed."

"Mommy's smart, isn't she?"

"She sure is, Sugar. She got her smarts from MeeMaw, just like you got your from your Mommy."

"What did I get from you?"

"You got lots of questions from me, now, didn't you? You were born with a question in your eyes just as much as smarts in your head. That's what makes you so special."

"Is it dark now? The candle just came on."

"No, there's just some clouds keeping the sun warm. He's so happy that he's closing his eyes."

"Will Mommy know how to find me?"

"Sure she will. Mommy will know just where you are."

"But how will she find me here? There's so many people."

"Mommy has a tiny, the very tiniest, mind you, thread that stretches from you to her, no matter where you go. Mommy always knows just where you are and will always find you when you need her."

"I need her now. I'm pretty tired. "

"Are you hungry, darlin'? Would you like a milkshake? I can get one for you right quick."

"No, thank you. I'm not hungry. My tummy hurts. My whole self is just hurt-y and I'm tired. I wish Mommy was here. How do you know she is coming today? "

"Do you remember the first day of school? When Mommy would help you get ready? Brush your hair, pack your lunch, help you put all your pencils and crayons in the backpack?"

"Yes... but,"

"Then she would make sure you got to the bus stop safely, and watch you get on the bus..."

"And then she would run-run-run to get to school before I did!"

"That's right; she would be there waiting and..."

"...and she'd take the First Day of School picture for my book!"

That's right. That night the two of you would talk about everything that happened while she made raisin toast as a snack..."

"...and I'd eat a yummy piece of cream cheese..."

"...and you'd eat a yummy piece of cream cheese, then you'd add the photo to your bab-"

"Don't call it a baby book! It's just My Book!"

"You two would add the photo to your book. Because Mommy was always there when you did something new to make sure you got there safely, wasn't she?"

"Yes! She'd always have the candle come on just before the bus brought me back, too. Just like magic!"

"Well, yes; magic and a few batteries with a timer.... but Mommy knew you liked it, that's why it's here in the window with us. See? It's shining bright right now."

"It is? Will you keep in on all night so Mommy can find me?"

"The light will stay on all night, Princess."

"Does Mommy know that I'm going somewhere new soon? Is that why you know she's coming today?"

"Yes, Mommy knows."

"Will there be raisin toast and cream cheese?"

"Yes, it will be there whenever you want it."

"She'll walk me there? Can I bring my Stuffee, too, for show and tell?"

"She'll be happy to see Stuffee again baby, he's right there next to you now."

"Is the light still on? I can't see it... is it on?"

"It's still on, it stayed on all night and it's just waiting for the sun to wake up before it turns off. Here's some water, sweetie."

"Mommy will... be here... soon, ... I think. I'm... tired... of waiting, and... oh ... Mommy!"

"Hold her tight, Marie. Please. Bring her with you when it's my time, after she's had her rest. I won't be afraid as long as I know you two will be waiting to walk me home. I'll keep the candle in the window for you both."