Hand, Mama!

Our sleeping time ritual.

We have loads of rituals to choose from. Either done one by one or when there's time, done all at once. The most constant would be praying. The list includes reading stories, telling stories, playing card games and singing together.

But one of them is something special, only for their mom. Being used to me bringing them to bed, the kids now cannot go to sleep unless they both have my hands holding their hands.

'Hand, Mama,' they would say. That would mean, they are almost in the border of dream town.

What sweet words to utter, knowing that they needed and wanted mom's presence, even in sleep. Thus, I savor pressing their hands into mine. Giving them small kisses. While wondering, until when would they need my hands?