And the townspeople were safe once more.
- At February 10, 2010
- By Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
- In Husband, My Son, Parenting, Work
38
Braden is sick again and that means he’s coughing in that special way that toddlers have which makes you clench up and wait for the inevitable choking sound every.single.time. Over and over again, I listen to him gag and gasp and make the phlegmy struggling sounds for breath that keep my blood pressure just a little higher than it really ought to be.
Last night he couldn’t sleep, and was pulling out one excuse after another to climb from his bed and yell down the stairs to us. His pleas for us to turn the music on, then off again, to find his toy car, and to turn on the light were all mingled with whimpers and punctuated by cries and sometimes soft, tired moans. Every request was just code for, “I need you, please come be with me, I’m feeling poorly and I just can’t be alone tonight.” Mommy is the ultimate translator – all those words and words and words, but a Mommy can see right through them. They pour off either side of the real request like oil parting and running this way and that on the surface of turbulent water.
But this night it was not just Mommy to the rescue. Often Mommy has to be the one who answers the call, who throws her hair over her shoulder and dashes off, valiantly. Mommy is so often the one who is here, so Mommy plays the heroine. But sometimes I get to fold my cape up for a beat. I write my story, I speak from my point of view. But he cuts through my view, too.
Daddy.
He listened to the translation of messages Mommy could hear floating down the stairs. When Mommy came down after a visit with the little sleep fighter, he heard all the things she said about little boys who are terribly unable to fall asleep because ohhh, they are just in need of togetherness and tender closeness. Mommy, who was distraught because of deadlines and projects. Mommy, who felt torn between work commitments and life priorities.
Daddy saw the worry and frustration on her tired face, and even though he had already done the bath routine and the bedtime routine, he smiled kindly, then set his face and stood up. He dashed off to go sit with the unwitting mini-villian upstairs, who was really just a little boy making too much noise for his tiny, tired body, until he could be tricked (loved) into falling comfortably asleep. He went in search of hugs and cuddles that would be stronger and more fierce than coughs and sneezes.
He answered the needs of the boy and the needs of the Mommy, all in a single bound.
I briefly saw his brightly colored cape flap at the corner of the stairwell right before he disappeared from view and I continued to tap at the keys, only momentarily wondering who that masked man was.
38 comments
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Gunfighter
and that is because we dads raaaaawk!
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
True dat!
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Veronica
My kids – they won’t sleep if I’m in their room, even when they’re sick. As heartbreaking as it is, I just have to leave them to it and jump up and down to fulfil requests as needed.
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
Braden often needs to be left to his devices to sleep, and the norm is that we put him in his bed after rocking for awhile, and then he falls asleep there. But he was sick and needy. Daddy sat with him for so long, that Daddy fell asleep, too.
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Veronica
Also – unrelated, but your site is taking forever to load and crashing out my browser. Thought I’d let you know, maybe it’s just me?
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
Uh-oh. Thanks. Not sure what’s going on….
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Michelle
Love me a superhero
Karin aka perpstu
Poor baby! It makes my heart sing when daddies step in and act as super heroes. I hope Braden is back up and bopping around soon!
.-= Karin aka perpstu´s last blog ..Bodaciously Splenderific =-.
Twitter: perpstu
Al_Pal
Awwww!
Twitter: Al_Pal
WackyMummy
Awww! So sweet!
Heather
Makes ya luv em’ that much more when they don their cape and mask doesn’t it?
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
Most definitely! I’m pretty happy when he plays masseuse, too.
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Tara R.
Superhero daddies are the best!
.-= Tara R.´s last blog ..Rue the roux =-.
Twitter: Tara_R
amy2boys
I hope he’s feeling better! I adore that picture of them – one of the best ones ever.
.-= amy2boys´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – Blissdom ’10 =-.
Twitter: amy2boys
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
It’s one of my favorites!
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Evan
Sounds like the guy that very dad dreams to become.
lynette
see? just when you’re wondering why you keep them around they do something awesome
.-= lynette´s last blog ..An extra kick in the pants =-.
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
HAHAHA!
Twitter: LotusCarroll
maiden53
LOVELY story! GREAT writing! and an AWESOME dad
Braden is a lucky boy… and you are a lucky wife 
.-= maiden53´s last blog ..Conan’s Inspirational Farewell =-.
Brigid
Sorry B is sick, but love that it worked out for all three of you! Ever since coming home from Blissdom, my kids keep slipping and calling me daddy. It’s nice to watch my husband take the lead.
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
Ok, that is just adorable – them slipping and calling you Daddy.
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Tarasview
good daddy
.-= Tarasview´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- She’s Got The Look =-.
Elizabeth
Hooray for Daddies that swoop in and save the day! Poor Braden, though. Hope he feels better soon.
p.s. LOVE the new banner, but your site is taking a really long time to load, and the first time I tried, IE couldn’t get to the page at all. Thought you’d want to know. smooches!
Lotus
Thank you for the heads up – I’m not sure what’s doing it. Will have to muck around with it tomorrow. Passing out on Nyquil momentarily.
.-= Lotus´s last blog ..And the townspeople were safe once more. =-.
Twitter: SarcasticMomLC
Lola
This is a great blog, I really enjoy your writing. And I love the way you’ve described your hubby. What a great way to honour him and appreciate him doing such a great job! Wonderful! Thank you.
Lola (Peanut Butter Smudges, http://nicolescorner.wordpress.com/)
Rebecca
That is a great post! I love the fact that he wears a cape in your mind!
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
He switches back and forth between a cape and horns.
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Cash Genie
This is really sweet. Great post!
Hecticmom
That is the most awesome picture. I think it might be my favorite of all of your pictures (and I’ve been a faithful follower for a LONG time.)
Hope your little one feels better soon!
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
I love that one – there is just something about it.
(Thank you for hanging in here with me for so long!)
Twitter: LotusCarroll
'cuz I'm the mommy, that's why
That’s great! I too married a superhero, I just didn’t know it. Wonder which drycleaner the cape goes to…
.-= ‘cuz I’m the mommy, that’s why´s last blog ..Tales from the Waffle Iron =-.
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
You are so much smarter than I am. I tend to throw dry clean only things into the washer and shrink them to 1/3 their size.
True story. *face palm*
Twitter: LotusCarroll
lceel
I really like that photo. Back in the day, when I was called, by those who knew me, ‘Routerman’ (It’s a geek thing), my #1 Son was often my helper when I would work on stuff. He was referred to by many, as ‘Serial Boy’ (referring, of course, to the fact the T1 interfaces in a Router are Serial Interfaces.) So that’s who we were – and people would say “LOOK!! IT’S ROUTERMAN!!! and serial boy.”
It was funny at the time. I guess you had to be there.
.-= lceel´s last blog ..100 Word Challenge – Overall =-.
Twitter: lceel
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
I love that story, Lou. <3
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Claire in CA, USA
So glad you have your Superman at home now, and just in time for helping with the sick Braden. Poor little guy, I hate when they’re sick, even as teenagers.
Thank you, sweet Lotus, for speaking so glowingly of your husband. So much negativity out there, so it’s really refreshing and uplifting.
Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom
I am actually guilty of my fair share of negativity, but yes, I felt moved to hold him up in the light. He might not do things my way all the time, but he puts a lot of effort into supporting me. I appreciate him!
Plus, it will be a nice post to look at the next time I want to jab my thumb in his eye for something.
Twitter: LotusCarroll
Debi
So sweet. The description of B and your hubby were precious.
Hope everyone is well again soon.
Rachael
These are the kinds of moments I love between my husband and son too. What a great story.
Twitter: rachael1013