Last night I went through the drive-thru at Panera Bread. I thought a green smoothie would be a wise choice before going to bed and didn’t have the energy to make my own, even though my own are quite a bit more satisfying.
I have been known to have conversations with lamp posts if they will answer back in a satisfying way – and last night the young man serving me at Panera was a much better conversationalist than that. We found out we both had experienced unsatisfying sleeps the night before. I told him I was attempting to stay up late enough that I wouldn’t have a middle-of-the-night wakening again.
As I was ready to drive away he said, “Have sweet dreams tonight!”
Sweet dreams.
This is my before bedtime catch phrase. When I attended my aunt’s funeral and shared a room with my cousin, we discovered our mother’s both said “sweet dreams” which mean chances are our grandmother said it, also.
“Sweet dreams” – something I don’t often hear from others but was exactly the best pre-sleep message I could receive, like a gift from an invisible loved one, whispering into this young man’s ear.
Perhaps it is just a coincidence. Perhaps he is a long-lost distant relative who shares the same tradition.
Whatever the circumstance, I left with a smile and I am still smiling the next day.
Anonymous angels: mysterious and wonder-filled. Gifts from the universe or the holy spirit or from love… I allow the memory to wash over me, much like I allow poetry to float over me when I read or hear it. I don’t worry myself with understanding fully just like I don’t need to understand how the inner workings of my car engine function.
What I do know for certain is when I show up with my heart open, it is easier for others with wide open hearts to tune in and offer those simple yet meaningful gifts of mystery.
Prompt: Write of a story of a simple mystery from your life. If you are stuck, start a list or even two.
One list may be “mysteries” and one list may be “wonder filled moments.”
Then chose one that seems most inviting and allow yourself five minutes to write, simply allowing your pencil to float across the page effortlessly and with the energy of infinite love and gratitude.
Tonight, before you go to bed, share the message of sweet dreams. You don’t know who might be waiting to hear those simple yet deeply loving words.
This post is a part of the Women’s History Month Writing Quotes & Prompts series from Julie JordanScott, the Creative Life Midwife, and her Word-Love Writing Community you may join for free on Facebook. During March, there will be daily discussions on the quotes and prompts we present here, too. Join the conversation and improve your writing at the same time!
Our family said “sweet dreams , roses on your pillow,”
Don’t you just love it when a perfect stranger provides you an aphorism that rings true to your soul.
Sweet dreams to you, too!
Love to have sweet dreams. Strangers say the most wonderful things. Will have to remember that one.