Soft Bed
A little boy named Ben lies down on his big, soft bed. He is four years old. He pats his pillow. He smiles at his stuffed rabbit. The room is calm and warm. The light is dim and gentle. The moon watches softly through the window.
Ben breathes in slowly. He breathes out slowly. He feels his blanket tickle his toes. He feels the mattress hold his body like a cloud. He wiggles his fingers. He wiggles his toes. He tries a long, slow stretch. His arms reach to the ceiling. His legs reach to the foot of the bed.
He lets his arms come down. He finds a spot that feels cozy. He tucks his hands under his cheek. He turns his head one way. He turns his head the other way. He chooses the position that feels just right. He sighs a soft, happy sigh.
His mother sits nearby. She watches the stars through a picture on the wall. She smiles and whispers, "You are safe." Her voice is like warm honey. Ben hears it. He nods. He breathes in. He breathes out.
Feeling the Body
Ben notices his feet. They feel warm and quiet. He imagines a little, slow sun near his toes. The sun is small and very kind. It spreads a tiny, warm glow. Ben feels the glow move up his legs. It feels like a gentle blanket.
The glow rests on his tummy. His tummy rises with each breath. It falls with each soft sigh. He watches it move like a small balloon. He smiles at the steady rise and fall. He counts softly inside. One, two... one, two.
The glow floats to his chest and shoulders. It makes his shoulders feel heavy and happy. His shoulders melt into the pillow. He lets them sink. He feels safe to let go. He breathes slowly and easily.
He feels the glow on his arms now. His arms feel warm and light. His hands feel snug and sleepy. He rubs his thumb against his blanket. He likes the little circle the thumb makes. He watches and lets the feeling stay.
The glow moves to his neck and face. His jaw relaxes. His cheeks feel soft. His eyes feel gentle and full of quiet. He blinks once. He blinks twice. He lets his eyelids rest like velvet curtains.
Ben listens to the small sounds in the room. The clock makes a slow tick. The house breathes softly. The rabbit beside him makes no sound. All sounds are kind and low. They help him feel calm.
He thinks of his day. He remembers painting with big blue paint. He remembers a crunchy apple and a laughing friend. He remembers sharing his toy car. Each memory makes a tiny warm bubble in his chest. The bubbles float and pop into smiles.
He says softly in his head, "I feel my body. I know my warm spots." He breathes and listens. He lets his legs, his tummy, his shoulders, his arms, his face rest.
Thank You
The room feels like a gentle hug. The moon tiptoes on the windowsill. Ben feels a slow, smooth calm move from his toes to his head. His eyelids feel heavy in a kind way. His breathing becomes a soft song.
His mother leans close. She kisses his forehead. She whispers, "Good night, little one." Ben whispers back, but his words are quiet and steady. "Thank you," he says to the day. He says thank you for the paint, the apple, the friend, and the warm bath. He says thank you for his cozy bed and his rabbit.
He feels thankful in his chest. The thankful feeling is a small, warm light. It glows and makes his breathing gentle. He lets the light spread and tuck him into rest.
Ben feels loved. He feels safe. He feels sleepy and calm. His body is in the position he likes best. He keeps that position like a secret hug. He closes his eyes slowly. He breathes one last soft breath.
The night sings a quiet lullaby. Ben drifts like a little boat on calm water. His last soft thought is a thank you to the day. The day smiles and moves away like a friendly cloud. Ben sleeps, warm and grateful.
