It was 3 a.m. And it was kind of like that moment when you wake up from a really bad dream you’re convinced is real only to breathe a sigh of relief when you look around and realize it wasn’t. Except I didn’t wake up. I was already awake. And it was really happening.
Mom was crying. Sobbing, really. For no reason in particular other than the unique combination of pregnancy hormones and the exhaustion that follows four sleepless nights in a row. If I didn’t know better, I’d thought my new little person had somehow been born and was having a full out temper tantrum in the middle of the night. That’s kind of what it sounded like. And nothing rips at my heart more than when my people cry.
It’s a foreign concept to me, this whole not being able to sleep thing. Let’s be honest – I probably spend about 75% of my time dreaming. (I call it dreaming since I dream as much when I’m awake as when I’m asleep). I never have a problem falling asleep. Heck, I’ve even been known to fall asleep standing up.
So you can imagine my confusion lately with mom’s complete inability to sleep. I wish more than anything there would be something I could do to help. But somewhere between midnight and 3 a.m. last night I realized sometimes you just can’t. Sometimes there really isn’t anything you can do. At least not in that moment. So I waited.
When mom came home from that place called work over her lunch break today I was ready. Waiting. Armed with the best kind of ammunition a dog can have. I jumped, I licked, I wagged and I showered her with all the love I felt in that moment. And that’s when she said it.
“Wiley, you know just how to cheer a person out of a funk, you know that?” As a self-proclaimed ambassador of joy from the ground up, you can imagine the burst of pride that surged through me in that moment. Success! It doesn’t get much more simple than that. I might not be able to save the night, but at least I can save the day.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Aww…Wiley, you are awesome for curing your Mom of your funky mood! There’s nothing like doggie kisses to do it, too! 🙂
Dear Lauren,
Thank you for your words! I will be sure to keep up the good work. 😉
Lots of love,
Wiles
Sometimes just knowing that someone cares and is there for you (even if it is between midnight and 3am) helps alot. I’m sure your presence helps your Mom feel better even if she has the pregnancy/work stuff going on.
Beautifully said – love is a mighty powerful thing. 🙂
Wishing you well,
Wiles
You are a wonderful dog and your mum need you, your love and your charm. Keep it up. Wishing your mum all the best, hormones are going crazy in pregnancy but I can say one thing…… it is all worth it once the baby is there…….So tell mum to keep up the strength and keep going.!
Much love to you all!
Dear friend,
Thank you as always for your kind words and encouragement. I will most definitely pass them along to my mom, and I know they will bring a smile to her face and warmth to her heart.
Lots of love,
Wiles
It’s amazing how much us dogs can cheer a person up.
Indeed it is dear one! I’d say we merit a high paw, yes? 🙂
Indeed!
That is awesome Wiley that you could cheer your Mommy up like that. You are one smart doggie! My Mommy suffers from allergies a lot at this time of year and her allergies make her asthma kick in too, and when she gets up in the early a.m. not feeling too good, I am always there with her. She pets me and hugs me and I know that I have comforted her. This morning for instance, she had a bad asthma attack and got up at 2:50a and I was right there by her side. (I fell asleep nonetheless, because it was too freekin early to be awake, but at least I was by my Mommy) 🙂
Dear friend,
I said it in the blog and I will reiterate it here – I hate when people I care about suffer. That includes your Mommy and her asthma attack and allergies. 😦 I’m so glad she has you to comfort her in times of struggle, even with the simplicity of your sleepy presence.
Lots of love and well wishes to your Mommy,
Wiles
I know exactly what your Mom means when she says you can cure her funk. When I was a kid and got into trouble for something, I’d sit around the dark narrow side of the house feeling miserable and my dog Rinty would stick his head under my elbow and throw his head up until my arm flopped around his neck. He sure knew how to make a kid feel better.
Tell your Mom I’m praying that she gets lots of good nights’ sleep in future xx
God bless Rinty – he sounds like a real keeper. 🙂 I shall pass along your kind wishes to mom as well…she needs all the encouragement she can get these days.
Lots of love,
Wiles
Saving the day is almost as good as saving the night. I hope your mom gets to sleep soon. I have a feeling once the new baby comes, there will be MANY MORE nights of not sleeping….GAH!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I suppose you’re right about saving the day and night being pretty similar, dear friend. Also about the sleepless nights in our future. Yay for more people time! 😉
Lots of love,
Wiles
Praising God for you little one!!!! I would be so lost without my TrevBear…you are both ambassadors of joy indeed!!!! I am so sorry you are having trouble getting good sleep…My baby decided to party with somersaults every time I would lay down…the later, the more active!!!! Sleep is hard to come by for us too…Trev is a professional though!!!! Hugs to you and your mommy…Thinking and praying for you!!!!
Hello Trev and mom! I think the somersaults are happening around here too. That, coupled with the back pain and indigestion is not making for good sleep around here. But I’m glad I can help, in my albeit small way, just as I’m glad your family has TrevBear to keep things light and happy.
All my best to the family,
Wiles
Going four nights without sleep would make me crazy, Wyles, and I am not pregnant. I did a quick search on pregnancy and sleeplessness – over a million hits in less than 2 seconds…. and I am just positive your Mom has done the same search. Add to that indigestion and growing pains – and she was only sobbing? Hah, I might have laid waste to the house. 🙂 – You came up with just the right plan, Wyles. Love that lady.
I fear you are right again. The searching the web thing helps and hurts. It makes it all too easy to convince herself something is terribly wrong. I try to keep her away from WebMD lately. 😉 Instead I employ the only weapon I have-love. 😉
Yes, indeed, W – a little knowledge can be a most dangerous thing. Remind me to tell you of the story of reading “The Hot Zone” a few years back…. it involves me, Doven (the dog before Claire & Ella) and the vet… make you laugh!
Oh boy! I’m excited to hear this story…I’m making a mental note to remember to ask about it. Please do the same, in case I forget. I think mom’s (semi-forgetful) pregnancy brain is rubbing off on me these days! 😉
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
Moral of the story: we all need our sleep.