Topping my favorite things list

is cuddling with a sweet smelling baby. I could sit and inhale the delightful aroma of a precious little one all day long. I may or may not be as fanatical as Peter Boyle’s character, Frank Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond when he’d say let me just smell their heads. It’s the fountain of youth. I’m sucking in that youth.

I have been known to swipe whiffs from the top of the precious little head to the tips of the wiggly little toes. Then, if I can snuggle too, I’m in baby heaven. I’m floating amongst the clouds when the baby molds its body as snuggly as my Isotoner gloves.

There is something therapeutic about sweet baby smells. They always made me happy, but I didn’t realize the medicinal value until my father passed away in August of 2003. Right after his death, I accepted an invitation to spend a few days with family in Las Vegas.

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On my flight, a stranger approached me asking that I switch seats with her. I didn't have a preference where I sat so I accommodated her.

Then I experienced a light bulb moment. My new seat was next to a frustrated young couple with a cranky infant. Ah ha, that’s why she wanted to move. My first reaction was to feel duped, then I felt empathy for the new parents. I observed them as they passed the baby back and forth to each other attempting to calm her. They apologized for the baby’s outbursts.

The mother in me wanted to wrap my arms around all 3 of them. I resisted that urge and started a conversation. I thought if I could get the parents to relax, then the baby would.

They explained their morning started early early on the east coast and the baby wasn’t accustomed to waking so early. I could see from the sleep deprivation in their eyes and the loving frustration on their faces, they weren’t either. Mom told me her baby did well on the first leg of the flight, but the touchdown to pick up more passengers in Kansas City was less than pleasant. Then the other lady next to them kept glaring in their direction.

After takeoff I asked if I could be of assistance, assuring them that I’d wasn’t going anywhere with their child – we were midair. They were reluctant, but then agreed that since they were sitting next to me and I couldn't harm their baby, they put her in my arms.

What a blessing those sweet baby smells were to me that morning. The couple’s bundle of joy felt their frustration when she had a hard time with the landing. The more she cried, the more they felt helpless. She snuggled up on my chest and fell asleep immediately, which gave assurance to the parents. They did question why she was more comfortable with a stranger than with them. I explained that she was likely startled by the jerks and bumps of the landing in KC. When they became frustrated her frustration mounted.


I assured them they were doing everything right. They just needed to take a deep breathe and relax. They did and both slept the rest of the trip to Las Vegas leaving me to love on their baby. Close to landing they told me I was their angel. I assured them I was no angel, that their precious little girl was the angel to me.

I shared with them that their baby was a blessing to me that morning. I explained that my father had died 5 days earlier and I just buried him. Their daughter was the new life I needed to clutch to as I grieved the death of my father.

I'll never forget this blessing bestowed upon me on the day I wasn’t sure I was where I was supposed to be. God let me know I was in the right place at the right time. That baby was validation that I heard God’s whispers.

Every time I hold and cuddle a baby I am amazed by the wonders of God. Psalm 127:3 tells me to behold that children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is the reward. I think that why the sweet baby smells tops my list of favorite things. They calm me when I’m upset, I feel healing when I hurt and I see the beauty of God in each child that comes to me.

I don’t understand the detail of each creation. Ecclesiastes 11:5 explains that we are not to understand when it says as you do not know the way of the wind or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you know not know the works of God who makes everything.

Just as God put that sweet baby in my arms after the death of my father He put more babies in my arms this past week after lifting my mother-in-law up to Heaven. He gave me a week of cuddling and snuggling and sweet baby smells with Vacation Bible School at my church.


I’m wondering this afternoon what tops your list of Favorite Things.
Feel free to comment and let me know . . .