She slept all night in her big girl bed
Image credit: Vida Images
She slept all night in her big girl bed.
In the room next door to me.
She is in there with her brothers
The amigos, one, two, three.
She fell asleep cuddling into me
All snuggled next to my chest
After she’d settled, I left
She’d found her peaceful rest
I crept on out and closed their door
With a whispered, ‘I love you, sleep well,’
Three little chests, slowly rise, then fall
Sleeping babies, my eyes do well
When did they become so big and brave?
Where did those years just go?
Why does it feel so bittersweet now?
When this is what I wanted or thought so
They each needed me so very much
By night, even more than day
I’d surrendered to that important work
All the night-time ills I could allay
All three loves were tended to
All three were responsively met
All three slept right there with me
Arms reach and right to my chest
More than six years in sum
Our bed was for our family
And just like that, it’s over
A treasured pattern of memories
I’m sure some nights she’ll still call us
Or he will have a bad dream
Growing pains, or night time worries
Or whatever it might seem
And little feet will patter
And the doors will open and close
And into our bed, a small person will come
Looking for warm arms they know
I will cherish each of these visits
I know the countdown has begun
Before too long, it’ll be over
I won’t be their moon, their stars, their sun
What a privilege it is to witness
The blossoming of new human unfold
From koala baby or precious limpet
To a person so adventurous and bold
The story is still being written
I love that I still play my part
What an honour it is to watch them grow
These three who own my heart
Carly Grubb, 2021
