Rainy Night On Memory Lane | Bedtime Story For Sleep

Travel to a New England village where you walk through a picturesque village with your dog. You visit Margie, a local artist and shop owner, who has created a custom quilt from fabrics of your past. You return to your cottage and cuddle with your pup by the fire. Patches of the quilt conjure memories of your highlights and most beloved relationships in this life. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Fall asleep fast in this rainy bedtime story for grownups.

Tonight's sleep story and guided meditation will help you disconnect from thoughts and concerns as you unwind at the end of the day.

You are listening to Rainy Night on Memory Lane.

Set in a coastal village,

You walk along Main Street on an autumn night with your beloved dog.

You stop by a local shop to pick up a customized patchwork quilt made from garments that conjure your most poignant life experiences.

You return to your cottage on Memory Lane as the rain begins to fall.

You sit by the fire and relive memories evoked by the luxurious quilt.

Cuddled with your pup,

You fall asleep to the sounds of rain.

It's time to dream away.

I would like to welcome you to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle,

And as you listen,

Think of my voice as that of a trusted friend and guide.

I am here to help you relax and remind you of your innate ability to self-soothe.

With the unlimited powers of your imagination,

You may envision the most beautiful journeys between your waking and sleeping life.

You deserve this time to shut out the world and to go deep within.

Nourish the landscape of your interior world.

Settle and feel safe in the sanctuary of your room and mind.

You have made it through another day,

And this special time is your gift.

You can customize this experience to your needs.

Tune out my voice at any point you would like to if sleep calls to you.

You may always return to listen again in the future.

If you prefer to skip the breathing meditation and go right to the story,

That is okay.

You know what you most need.

It's time to listen to your inner voice and honor it.

Snuggle into your bed and pillows and let out a big sigh.

On this breath,

You cast away all concerns and worries.

Send them out into the night.

They may disappear to a place things go when they are no longer serving you.

Begin the deepest,

Fullest inhalation you have taken all day.

Feel your body rise as if it could float towards the night sky.

Open your mouth into a big sleepy yawn and then sigh.

Let it all go.

You can make a sound and push out every last bit of air.

Inhale deeply and open your mouth into a yawn.

Indicate to your body that it is time to stand down and prepare for sleep.

Blow out your exhalation through pursed lips as if blowing through a straw.

Feel how much more relaxed you are now than moments ago.

In a state of peace,

The story begins.

Picture a sleepy town along the New England coastline in autumn.

Bustling with tourists during the summer season,

The population recedes with the arrival of fall and return of the school year.

The locals reconnect with one another in this beautiful time before winter and its allure of hibernation.

You walk along Main Street with your pup just before sunset.

The steely gray skies make it hard to pinpoint the time of day.

But the crisp nip on the salty breeze insinuates the arrival of nightfall and rain.

In the summer months,

Sidewalks overflow with visitors in beachy attire.

But on this night,

There are only a few locals bundled in sweaters and scarves,

Stocking up for the storm.

You walk by a general store,

An artisanal cheese shop.

You pass by the post office in a quaint cafe.

Your brightly colored rain boots land on the glistening cobblestone sidewalk with the same staccato rhythm of your pup's paws.

You pause before the window display of nautical dreams,

A beloved gift shop where your package awaits.

You see the reflection of you and your pup in the storefront window.

When you gaze down at a puddle,

You catch the reflection of your rain boots and your pup's furry legs.

You smile and become thoughtful.

Tonight is a time for reflection.

You place your palm on the engraved antique doorknob and open the wooden door.

A brass bell rings and a rush of warm dry air greets you.

Coppere and autumnal candles with notes of baking spices,

Pumpkin,

Apple,

And sage aromatize the shop.

The shop is known for unique handmade gifts from local artists.

Dozens of hand painted slates hang on a wall and portray the seaside village in all seasons.

Margie the shop owner greets you with a hello and welcomes your pup with a treat.

Folk music softly plays on a record player.

The crackling sounds of vinyl are warm and soothing.

The shop has a nostalgic feel and bohemian aspects showcased by the paisley scarves and caftans and an array of healing crystals in a glass encasement.

Margie is a timeless beauty and her long white hair falls to her lower back.

Her violet blue eyes twinkle with a balance of mischief and warmth.

She is known in the village for her wicked sense of humor and her being the first to show up when someone is in need.

Margie always jokes that she has the right amount of sweet and spicy.

Throughout the summer,

During the lulls,

Margie created a custom quilt for you.

With fabrics you saved and discovered through time,

She magically recreated your deepest memories of love and joy in a patchwork quilt.

Margie often claims she is a good witch.

It is a mystery how she sourced some of the garments for this quilt that you did not provide.

Without a machine,

She hand-stitched the king-sized blanket with her meticulous gift for sewing.

Her delicate hands show little age but for the veins that rise above her tiny bones.

She flutters her fingers with graceful hypnotic movements.

She retrieves your package from behind the cash register.

You have paid an installment and as you reach for your wallet for the final payment,

Margie shakes her hands in the air and refuses.

Finishing the quilt brought her great joy.

It offered her a loving escape,

Full of glimpses of the connections you have made in your life.

It doesn't feel right for her to accept another dime.

Your pop responds to Margie with an excited wiggle and wagging tail.

She comes around the counter and hands you a large brown paper package wrapped in twine that contains the quilt.

It feels heavy and you hug it against your chest.

Margie squats down and her flowing skirt billows around her like a burgundy paisley hill.

Your pup rolls over to beg for a pet.

She lovingly scratches their furry belly.

She then stands and smiles,

Urging you to head home before the rain begins.

You smile and thank her and vow to return the favor some day.

She trusts that you will,

Because that's the kind of relationship you have.

You exit onto Main Street and listen to the bells softly jingle as the door closes behind you.

A gust of wind carries a fine mist from the sea.

You bundle in your thick sweater that rises over your neck and earlobes and keeps you warm from the chill in the air.

Gold and maroon leaves float on puddles from an earlier rainstorm.

The village is on a rocky hill and at the end of Main Street you see the white caps of waves crashing along the shoreline.

In the distance the orange glow of a lighthouse illuminates the ocean mist and incoming purple bellied clouds.

You turn onto a residential street.

The remnants of Halloween decorations adorn historic cottages and Victorian homes.

Cotton cobwebs flow down pastel-hued banisters and corn stalks and scarecrows lean against wraparound porches.

Carved pumpkins pepper the street,

Still plump and vibrant.

You can still hear the recent echoes of children's joyous voices as they hid the town in costumed glory.

Now on the other side of autumn,

They are safely tucked indoors on this chilly night.

Deep down you relish the moment the weather changed and summer became but a distant dream.

Now it is the time to hunker down,

To enjoy the cozy warmth of indoor gatherings and self-care.

You continue on your walk and inhale the smell of rain and sea.

The decaying leaves line the sidewalk and impregnate the air with a sweet familiar aroma.

Your pup walks ahead of you,

Eager to return home.

All at once the street lamps come to life as darkness sets in.

The trees are half barren and piles of mahogany,

Yellow and fiery orange-gold leaves form wet clusters on the pathway.

You come to a bridge that passes over a bay.

The sapphire bay is as smooth as glass,

The calm before the storm.

A few droplets begin to fall.

A long road winds around a local beach where you often go to collect shells and sea glass.

In summer and early fall,

Mollusk seekers and fellow dog owners frequent the beach.

A few sailboats remain in the bay and their bright sails are like silver flashes on the dark water.

The gray road leads to Memory Lane.

Once used as second homes,

Your cozy lane features a dozen cottages now occupied by kind neighbors who stay year-round.

The dwellings are similar in design,

Painted in shades of gray and dusty blue with white trim.

It is a charming place to live.

Even barring sugar or looking after one another's pets is common and welcome.

It makes you feel safe to know you have a community of people who are always there for you.

A light gray picket fence surrounds your home.

Dozens of pieces of sea glass you have collected at the local beach are strung around the wooden beams.

Turquoise,

Cobalt,

Sea foam green and opal pieces sway in the wind and reflect the golden light of the street lamps.

You open the fence door and walk on the stone pathway as the raindrops become fat and fall faster.

The rain splats onto your nose and hair in a steady beat.

You walk up the steps to the porch and your dog follows.

Wicker baskets containing baby pumpkins and gourds from the farmer's market decorate the porch.

You open the front door into the living room and welcome the warm air and familiar smell of home.

The pup runs into the cottage and instinctively shakes their fur.

You place the large package down on the sofa and walk towards your master suite.

White wooden exposed beams crisscross over a king-sized bed.

The ceilings are high and yet the cottage retains a cozy charm.

You open a dresser drawer to pull out soft cotton pajamas that smell of fresh laundry.

You remove your shoes and damp clothes and change into them.

You slip your bare feet into plush slippers.

Each step feels as if you are bouncing on a cloud.

You walk to the nautical themed kitchen with accents of cobalt blue and turquoise.

You fill an electric tea kettle with water.

You place it on a silver base that rests near a marine blue backsplash.

You press the on button and a soft blue light illuminates the water.

As it begins to form tiny bubbles,

It is calming to watch.

The blue tones soothe you and conjure thoughts of looking out from the kitchen window onto the bay.

Rain streaks down the windows.

You cannot see much beyond the gray fog that rolls in.

Stray copper and golden leaves blow against the sliding glass door of the kitchen that leads to a deck.

You feel safe and content to be in the safety of your bayside home.

Your pup begs at your feet and you grab a treat from a ceramic jar you purchased at Nautical Dreams.

Your pup takes the treat and runs towards their dog bed in a living room.

The dog bed is near an electric fireplace that you turn on with a switch.

After a gentle puff,

The fire erupts and casts the room in an amber glow.

Your pup burrows into the bed and eagerly chomps on the treat.

You return to the kitchen,

The blue light of the electric kettle turns red as the water comes to a boil.

You grab your favorite oversized mug and tea bag.

You pour the water and the steam rises,

Carrying the aroma of the brewing tea.

You bring your face close to the warm steam and inhale.

The small ritual relaxes you.

You take the tea cup and return to the living room.

You sit on the plush sofa across from the fire.

There is a rustic coffee table made of glass and driftwood.

A handful of your favorite books and a couple of blue and green mosaic coasters rest on the glass.

You run your fingers across the mosaic texture of one of the coasters and think about Margie.

She once told you that every person is a mosaic of everyone who has loved them and inspired them.

And it is in the daily acts throughout this life that you keep their memories alive.

They may live in a recipe you make,

In the way you prepare yourself for a new day,

In the hobbies that you have discovered,

And in the beliefs that you carry.

Their words may come to you in moments of silence or when unexpected memories are engaged.

A piece of the mosaic of your life illuminates in these moments as a reminder of these influential souls.

Teachers in varying forms have come and influenced your path.

And similarly,

You have loved and taught others and become a vibrant part of their life mosaics.

This idea comforts you and helps you reflect on a greater purpose as you set the teacup down on the mosaic coaster and sink into the sofa.

You take the brown package and brush off a few droplets of rainwater.

The rain falls steadily outside.

You are grateful to have returned before the deluge began.

The twine is tied in a perfect bow that you undo with ease.

You run your hands beneath the loose twine and pull back the brown paper to reveal the quilt.

This is the first time you have seen it and you are flooded with warm feelings of gratitude and awe.

The design is both simple yet intricate.

With a glance you recognize pieces of cloth that represent moments throughout your life.

The underside of the quilt is a silky fabric in your favorite color.

This hue outlines the perimeters of the patches collected from your life.

The pup is curious and comes to join you.

They sit at your feet and sniff at the heavy quilt as you lift it over your body and begin to explore.

Your fingers grace the fabric of a beloved stuffed toy from your childhood.

Left in the past,

Perhaps tattered by time,

This plush piece brings you back to memories.

Being soothed at night,

For a child a toy is much more.

It is a friend and ally in a world that may not truly understand a developing mind.

This time in your life was fed by your imagination.

You raise it to your nose.

It can smell your childhood.

You hold on to the best parts of this time,

Sifting through all the moments that brought you to this calm and tranquil moment.

You are still here.

You are still growing and healing and becoming the best version of yourself.

You come to a piece of fabric from a garment you wore when you made it to a milestone in your early life.

The color and texture bring you back to a feeling of accomplishment and joy.

You may have felt euphoria at the time.

Or perhaps you could not believe that you had made it and it felt like a waking dream.

But you did.

When this patch of fabric brings you back,

It is a reminder of what you have been capable of.

It may not have manifested overnight,

But with the consistency of time and showing up,

You have made things happen in your life.

You look at another square of fabric.

It reminds you of someone who has nurtured you.

As a fabric of something they once wore,

This person you have loved dearly.

You recall moments of being guided and feeling safe with them.

This person brought the best out of you.

It may not have been easy.

It may not have always been what you wanted.

But the love is what remains.

You rub your face against the quilt and remember.

Layers of memories wash over you as steadily as the rain outside.

You close your eyes and inhale the aroma of this patch.

Your attention turns to a bold patch of fabric.

This comes from a garment you wore once to be different.

You may have even been the only person to love this article of clothing.

You may have also questioned wearing it later on.

But at one point in time,

It made you feel unique.

It made you feel a sense of control and empowerment.

You could dress and be whoever you wanted to be with this article of clothing.

You connect with the uniqueness inside of you and smile.

Give yourself this time to love and appreciate that bold,

Daring part of you.

It is lovable and worthy of recognition.

You turn to another patch that comes from a fabric of a caregiver.

Perhaps it was a family member.

Perhaps it was someone who at one point was like family.

The cloth conjures memories of laughter and adventures.

It reminds you of your growth and development into the person you are now.

So many steps have been taken between then and now.

To take a moment to feel grateful for every little step.

The warm fire burns behind the glass doors and you look to it.

You reach for your tea and take a sip.

The liquid is the perfect temperature to soothe your throat and help you relax.

Your pups eyes are focused on you.

As you look into their loving gaze,

A release of oxytocin,

This bonding and love hormone is released.

You feel deeply content.

You finish the tea and invite your dog to join you.

They hop onto the couch and rest their head on a throw pillow.

You cover their body with the quilt.

You rest your head on the opposite side of the sofa and cover your body as well.

You notice another patch that reminds you of a dear friend.

This friend had your back and helped you consider things you would not have thought of on your own.

One of the fabric squares reminds you of a time you felt a deep love for someone.

It comforts you to know you are capable of this kind of love,

That it lives inside you.

A warm smile forms on your face.

You tuck the quilt beneath your chin and close your eyes.

The quilt radiates magical and comforting energy.

It cloaks you in a feeling that is both familiar and new.

The expressions of love and joy and hope and growth combine into this empowering feeling.

They set the tone for a night of dreaming.

You feel blessed and thankful.

You feel safe and warm.

Your dog lets out a sigh.

You follow their lead and sigh as well.

Feeling so very tired,

You let yourself drift asleep on the oversized sofa.

You open your heart and mind to the possibility of your loved ones visiting you in your dreams.

You hope that your dreams may inform you of adventures you would like to experience in your waking life.

Like a dress rehearsal,

Your dreams may prepare you for the arrival of all that you seek.

The fire continues to burn and shadows dance on the wall.

Rainwater streams down skylights overhead.

Your dog presses their warm,

Furry body against your feet.

The crisp bottom air has left your home the perfect temperature for sleep.

Your mind begins to drift toward slumber.

You let go of consciousness and float along with the peace and serenity of this rainy night.

And I am going to count you down to a place of healing and restorative sleep.

To a place where you may find stillness and peace that comes on a crisp autumn night,

Perfectly crafted for sleep.

Ten,

Nine,

Eight,

Seven,

Six,

Five,

Four,

Three,

Two,

One.

Finding rest.

Finding respite.

Finding solace.

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Good night.

Reviews

Wonderful! I had forgotten 90% of these good memories❤️

Thank you as always Michelle! Beautiful. Was asleep very quickly 💤
❤️🙏🏼💕

Great stories!

A love this story when I'm struggling with chasing thoughts and I need to sleep.

I finished the story this morning after falling asleep last night & this is my favorite ever. I felt like it was written for me & I was really there. My Standard Poodle, Zoey, is always by my side. I love a cup of tea on a cold night, & my dog’s bed is in front of the fireplace, but she loves cuddling on the sofa next to me. Best of all this story has a quilt because I am a quilter & making or being given a quilt that holds special meaning or memories is magical. Thank you, Michelle. Your stories amaze me.

Beautiful story and atmosphere. Calming and comforting.

Thank you, Michelle🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻Never heard beyond the breath part throughout the night, until at 5 am, not ready to wake up, yet quite awake already, I heard most of it. A lovely story🙏🏻😴🙏🏻