Inspirational · Sons

The Sweetest Aches of Life

Sasha

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My sweet boy was sick. Only 30 minutes into his night rest he awoke crying. I placed him on my chest and we laid in my bed together . After quite some time of restlessness, he finally found sleep again. I carefully laid him back in his crib and stretched my limbs in relief.

Shortly after, the scene ensued again.

Over and over, cries and soothing, restless and exhausted. I looked at the clock at one point, realizing it must be close to morning. It was 1:30AM. . . this was going to be a long night.

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We continued the hours in my bed, his body either on top of mine or directly beside it. I was exhausted, my muscles dearly aching from it all.

I stopped.

I took in the scene before me.

I realized moments such as these are the sweetest aches of life.

He on me, in perfect peace, our breath taking on the same rhythm, our chests rising and dropping in unison. His breathe lingering with the sweet smell of milk, and his warm frame hugged around mine in complete trust. I am his entire world. Upon my chest he slept, knowing everything would be okay as long as I was near.

Morning came all too early and with it his precious voice, “Momma. Momma.” he spoke, over and over again. I, too tired to yet respond, smiled from deep within, brushing my lips across his sweet face. He smiled back and continued on, “Momma. Momma.”

Life is hard. It is cruel and unjust, bringing sorrows and pains, disappointments and regrets. Children are not hard, life is.

In nights such as these, when life brings its difficulties of sickness and pains, it is then we must stop and see the beauty reaching for us, the miracle whispering our sweet name: Momma.

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65 thoughts on “The Sweetest Aches of Life”

  2. “Sweetest Aches” describes the sensation very well. My memories of being sick are actually sweet ones too because I remember very special care from my parents.
    Restful wishes to you and yours!
    – Alexis

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    1. Oh, Alexis, you are so right! I did not even remember these type of childhood memories until you mentioned this. Although the sickness itself was not so fun I have only the sweetest memories of my mom’s tender love and care.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, physically they sometimes seem more than the body can take, and yet emotionally they fill our soul with such a deep love and ache for our dear child. With four, your sleepless nights must be often too! 🙂

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  5. My son was sick for the first time a week or so ago and I cherished the moments spent snuggling with him. It was hard to see him hurting, but it was wonderful to be the one who could take the pain away.

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    1. Oh, the first time both my children grew ill my heart simply broke. Glad he is better now and that you were able to comfort him through it.

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    1. He is definitely back to his rock throwing, mud flinging little self now–thankfully! I agree, little boys are simply amazing! 🙂

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  7. Poor little man! It’s so sad when they get sick, but it’s wonderful when you know they put their full trust in you to help them feel better. 🙂 My 4 yo has sleep issues and while it’s frustrating to have him cry from a nightmare in the night, it is nice to know that I his source of comfort so that he can be at peace again.

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    1. Oh, sweet boy! I do not know if either of mine have ever had a nightmare yet but I was plagued with them as a child myself. I remember running to my mom’s arms in the middle of the night: the only place I knew to find freedom from the fear. I hope they end for him soon but in the meantime keep on bringing your motherly comfort. 🙂

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  8. I love your posts. They’re always so beautiful and leave be with a big smile on my face and an equally big lump in my throat. Just today, I felt like id had it. It had been an especially bad week, and I was grumpy. And when my toddler was in my husbands arms walking away from me, he turned around, reached out to me and said: “Momma!” I could’ve cried. Despite my horribly grumpy mood, my baby still wanted to be with me. I couldn’t help but think of how wonderful it is to be loved so much, to be needed, and to be somebody’s everything. Thinking back at when I was little, I can’t remember my mom’s grumpy days, but I do remember the love, the affection, and how all that made me feel. And to be able to be all that to someone now is just incredible!

    I really hope your baby is better now xxx

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    1. Leila, thank you so much for your kind words!! How much power they have over our hearts with their simple little “Momma.” I think I would do absolutely anything in the world to hear him say such. 🙂 We really are so very blessed with the privilege of being mom.

      Oh, and little guy is back to himself again! 🙂

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    1. I love it: “life is too short.” It is the slogan of my life these days; that which I try to constantly remind myself. Before I know it he will be wiping my kisses off his cheeks and requesting me not to do such in front of his friends. Soaking in each moment–even the hard ones–it is the only way to live. Thanks for sharing this! 🙂

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  10. Ok..this pretty much describes how my night went last night too. Thank you SO much for this reminder. It’s so easy to let exhaustion and frustration take over that we forget to hold onto these precious moments. This season with small children comes and goes so quickly and I want to look back on this time with confidence that I embraced it.

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    1. Megan, I feel exactly the same way as you: to look back knowing I embraced each and every moment. I hope your little one is feeling back to normal, but in the meantime soak up all that precious little skin. 🙂

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  11. Sasha, I’m speechless…”Children are not hard, life is.” Brilliant! Thank you for that! I hope you guys get some rest and that you are able to find peace in this less than easy life.

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    1. Thanks Rebekah!! I am learning this more and more each day–reminding myself when things become difficult. My guy is back to his rambunctious little self now and I to finding peace even amongst the chaos! 🙂

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  12. Ah!! I love this “Children are not hard, life is.” And if it’s any consolation, I’m tired with you–for the best reasons 🙂 These little ones are the biggest blessings. What a cutie!

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    1. Keri, may the tired mommas unite!! 🙂 Even through the exhaustion there is such an overwhelming love and gratitude. In the past I would sometimes think of my little rascals as “hard.” It is only here lately I am realizing the opposite. . .

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  13. You are beautiful and full of grace. I have had so many nights where I am there to comfort my babies but I am whining inside. There is no point in the whining. It takes true elegance to think the way you do. You are inspiring! Thank you for spreading your love based thoughts.

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    1. Oh, your encouragement means so much to me!! Thank you!!! I too whine though somedays. It takes a little conscious effort to remember the beauty staring me in the face. 🙂

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    1. Rochelle, you are right and therein lies the beauty of it all. How someone relies so fully on us is both scary and amazing and take your breathe away wonderful all at the same time!

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    1. Margot, I couldn’t agree more. The simple word seems to contain such power in it one finds herself able to accomplish anything. There is nothing which gives more strength. 🙂

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  22. I had a moment like the one you speak of when my little one was sick to his stomach. He needed a bath and so did I as we were both covered in vomit. I held him in the tub and he snoozed for a while. I climbed out with him in my arms, wrapped my robe around us both, and climbed into bed. It was such a beautiful moment.

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    1. Jennifer, as only a fellow mom could say, your story is truly so beautiful. I felt the emotion simply reading it. Thank you for sharing and keep relishing each and every moment. 🙂

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  23. Beautiful post as always Sasha. Thank you for this gentle reminder to always look at our children as miracles. I often have to fight the frustration and reach deep to find my gratitude when woken in the middle of the night, but the moments past all too fast and you are correct that those midnight calls to Mommy should only be viewed as a miracle. Thanks Sasha! 🙂

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    1. Thank you Shawn! I think the most difficult challenge in parenting has to be tiredness! I try, although I do not always succeed, to push myself through the exhaustion to the miracles in front of me. 🙂

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  32. Sasha your words are so true!!! Sometimes life is full of interruptions. Mamma’s sleep gets interrupted a lot, doesn’t it? I am learning in those times to let go of my flesh self and express the real me. The real me is to nurture. God has designed us Mommas to care for our little ones. It’s not always easy though and we don’t always want to be interrupted. AND IT IS NOT OUR CHILDREN’S FAULT. yet I fail from time to time and react to them in selfish anger. I hate that when I do that. It happens and we are still lovely parents. Selfless love is powerful love. And this kind of love is so very rewarding. Thank you for your lovely post and your words are all a great reminder that Moms matter.

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    1. Lisa, you are so encouraging!! Thank you! I know exactly what you mean though. As much as we love them, our selfishness can still find the best of us. I try to constantly remind myself of how blessed I truly am, and also, how short this time will pass. 🙂

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