What Grace Forgot

By Wendy Ellison

And they shall also teach their children to pray (D&C 68:28).

“Bedtime!” Mommy called from upstairs.

Grace’s blonde curls bounced as she hopped up the stairs and into her room. She grabbed her fluffy stuffed bunny and jumped into bed. Then she jumped right back out again.

“Mommy, I can’t go to bed yet. I forgot something very important.”

Mommy smiled. “I think you’re right.”

Grace ran to her dresser and pulled out her favorite fuzzy pajamas. She put them on and slid back under the covers.

Suddenly she sat up . “I still forgot something very important.”

“I think you’re right,” Mommy answered patiently.

“I need a glass of milk. I always have milk before I go to bed.”

Mommy left and came back with a glass of cold milk. Grace drank every drop, then licked off her milk mustache.

“Now I’m ready for bed,” Grace said, snuggling deep into the warmth of her covers.

Only a second later, she popped out again. “Mommy, I still forgot something very important.

Mommy nodded. “I think you’re right.”

Grace hurried to the bathroom sink and brushed her teeth until they were shiny white. Then she washed her face and hands.

“Now I’m ready for bed.” Grace scampered back to her room and dove into her empty bed.

Before there was even time to say good night, she tumbled out again. “I still forgot something very important.”

“I think you’re right,” Mommy chuckled.

“I could never go to sleep without a hug and a kiss from my favorite people in the whole world.” She ran down the hall and bumped down the stairs to the living room. She pulled the newspaper out of Daddy’s hands and gave him a big bear hug and a kiss. Then she ran back up to her room, squeezed Mommy tight, and kissed her good night. “Now I’m ready for bed,” Grace said, crawling under her quilted covers and pulling them up to her eyes.

She pulled them right back down. “I still forgot something very important.”

“I think you’re right,” Mommy replied.

“I need a bedtime story. It will give me sweet dreams all night long.”

Mommy read Grace’s favorite fairy tale.

“Now I’m ready for bed,” Grace sighed. “I’m dressed in my warm pajamas. I had a yummy glass of milk. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I kissed Mommy and Daddy good night, and I heard my favorite bedtime story.”

Then Grace gasped and her eyes got big. “Mommy, I forgot the most important thing of all!”

“I know you did,” Mommy agreed.

Grace slipped out of bed onto her knees. She folded her arms, bowed her head, and closed her eyes. Her mother joined her. Then Grace said a prayer to Heavenly Father. She thanked Him for all that she had, and asked Him to bless her. Grace was glad to talk to Heavenly Father. She knew that He listened to her prayers. When she finished in the name of Jesus Christ, she felt warm inside. Happily she climbed back into bed. Mother tucked the covers under her chin and turned off the light.

Now I really am ready for bed, Grace thought as she drifted peacefully off to sleep.

Illustrated by Julie F. Young