Call For Me, Little One, and I Will Always Answer

You call for me somewhere in the middle of almost every night, your voice trickles out your bedroom door and through the house to my own, growing louder until you find your way to my side of the bed. Sometimes you’ve had a bad dream, but more often than not your reason boils down to some version of missing me. I sigh heavily and swing you into bed between your daddy and me, then mutter not so sweetly for you to close your eyes and go back to sleep, which you do after nuzzling your cheek against my shoulder.

You call for me, and although I’m not always so pleasant in response, there’s something I need you to know: Regardless of my sleepy irritation, or my pity parties over how I haven’t gotten a full night’s sleep in God knows how long, you can always call for me.

When you’ve had a nightmare that you just can’t shake, call for me.

When you’re not feeling well and you need extra cuddles, call for me.

When you trip and skin your knee, and you need my kiss to numb the pain, call for me.

I might not always jump for joy in the moment, but for all reasons in this season of life, you can call for me and I’ll answer every single time.

And in the next season, too, when your problems aren’t so easily fixed, please don’t stop coming to me.

When you’re up late at night stressing over the next day’s test and you need someone to quiz you on your flash cards just one last time, call for me and we’ll work together for your success.

When your heart is broken and heavy tears are sliding down your sweet face— even if I can’t make the hurt go away, I hope you’ll call for my comfort and listening ear.

When you’ve made a poor choice or you find yourself in a bad situation that you’re not sure how to get out of . . . especially then, my love, please, please call for me. My disappointment in your actions will never overshadow my desire for you to return to me in one piece.

And years down the road when you’re up in the middle of the night with your own baby who just won’t fall back to sleep, and you’re not sure what to do, and you haven’t slept in God knows how long . . . dial the old familiar numbers and call for me.

Please hear me when I tell you that neither my door, nor my phone line, nor my heart will ever be closed to you. No matter the season, no matter the circumstance, you can come to me with anything.

I was here for you yesterday, I’m here for you today, and I’ll be here for you every tomorrow.

Call for me, sweet one, and I will always, always answer.