We were watching a TV program and the scene shifted to a mother and small child sitting on a bed, their hands folded for nighttime prayers.
There were no bunkbeds in the scene, but for a moment I stood beside a wooden ladder preparing for our nightly ritual that would begin with, ”Everyone in heaven, please listen to our prayers.”
I do not recall when our list of Heaven Listeners grew so long that we shortened it to the “Everyone” version but that shortened list is the one my mind pulls up when thoughts move to family prayers.
Having been a believer for untold years in the many Guardian Angels whom I felt certain held the title of Prayer Listeners, it was important for me to convince those who shared the bunk beds that my theories were correct. So pray we did and listen the Heaven “Everyone” List did.
To this day, I think of my Grandfather Link looking up from his anvil with a “What do they want now?” look on his face and Aunt Annie standing at her Hoosier cabinet making biscuits, considering the frequent requests from our Furgason dimension. I believe they helped in small and possibly large ways of which we will always be unaware.
Because Uncle Julius and Karl Link were unknown to the bunkbed crew but were certain to play their answering part I was not surprised when whimsical adventures happened on occasion.
The bunkbed occupants have gone their separate ways and perhaps they no longer remember to fold their hands each night and close their eyes while saying a fervent prayer, but I still do.
I continue to be confident that Grandfather Link will step away from his anvil long enough to prevent a fatal car crash and Uncle Frank will nudge one of the bunkers to eat a better diet. I am confident because I will always believe, “Everyone in Heaven” still listens to those prayers.