I sat and watched my mother doze off in a Stryker bed.

Her head tilted and cricked to one side.

She mumbled a little and snored a bit.

It was an afternoon nap

and we just were.

 

I wondered if I might stay until bedtime

so I could tuck her in and say a prayer

and leave the light on and the door cracked.

Then maybe I could be just down the hall

with the same light resting on my bed.

 

I wondered if I might just say a little something to God

while my mom listened.

 

“Oh Father,

Come to her in her dreams like the daddy

she once adored.

 

Oh God,

Sent the baby Jesus in her dreams for her to hold

as she did each of her kids in a room such as this.

 

Oh come visit her in her dreams Jesus,

like the big brother she once looked up to.

 

Oh come and show her around your assisted living place

where there is always room for a visit.

 

Oh come and be the light in the hall.

Oh come and be the door opened.”