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28 People Describe The Most Bittersweet Moment They Have Ever Experienced

Article created by: Austėja Akavickaitė

Life is rarely black and white. Happiness often comes wrapped in a sheet of sadness, longing, sometimes even regret. Complex emotions are what make us human.

To find out more about these dualities, Redditor BlaasianCowboyPanda posted a question on the platform, asking: "People of Reddit, what is the most bittersweet situation you've experienced?" And they've been heard.

From letting go of your loved ones to helping your pet cross the rainbow bridge, here are some of the most touching memories that were shared in the comments.

Read More: 35 People Describe The Most Bittersweet Moment They Have Ever Experienced

#1

Adopting a decrepit senior dog with one hot mess of a body. He was cherished and adored by myself and daughter. My daughter was his main squeeze. He had health problems galore but he always persevered, and for a brief moment he got to BE a dog.

One year ago we helped him cross the rainbow bridge. My daughter made the decision that she would be there, she held his snout in her hands and kissed him the entire time. She was so brave, because of him.

Image credits: YourMothersButtox

#2

Sitting in the hospital room, mom was about ready to pass away from cancer, everything was shutting down internally. The date was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. The last thing dad said to her was 'Thank you for 40 wonderful years.'

Image credits: CoffeeCat072083

#3

Recently had one last sleepover with my childhood friend before he passed from leukemia. It was just like being kids again.

He couldn’t do much at the point he’d reached, but we listened to music, watched Luca (which he hadn’t yet seen), and just talked about life. And of course we stayed up way past bedtime haha

Image credits: randomtrashman

#4

Waking up from a suicide attempt.

Bitter because I woke up, sweet because I woke up.

Image credits: stolethemorning

#5

About ten years ago just before she died of lung cancer, my mom called me by my childhood nickname, told me she loved me and then fell asleep. That was the last thing she ever said to me. I was 35 when she died and she hadn't called me that nickname in maybe 30 years. I still tear up thinking about it.

Image credits: -Words-Words-Words-

#6

My fiance's funeral. It was literally the first time I got to meet his mom. And she was such a sweet lady. When I tried to give her back my ring because it had belonged to her mother. She refused to take it, she told me "My son chose you to give it to. And it would be rude of me to take back his choice." She probably still has no idea how much it meant to me.

I literally have no pictures or anything of him. But I still have my memories and my ring I keep in my jewelry box.

Image credits: Sickofitblonde

#7

My family got a puppy when I was about 5. My freshman year of college he had to be put down. Every part of his body was failing. He couldn't stand on his own, fur falling out, infections that wouldn't go away, etc. and the vets couldn't help him no matter what they did. My mother finally made the choice to let him go peacefully rather than try to force any more treatments and hope they ease it. I opted to be the person to go back with him when the time came.

I held him and cried. But I pet him behind the ears the way he always liked and made sure he knew he had one of his humans there. There was relief in his eyes when he went. Like he understood what was happening and was okay with it. Finally able to rest.

I didn't want to let my childhood pet go. But I'm glad he didn't have to keep suffering and he didn't have to go out alone.

#8

Oh man. I'm always a sucker for the long love.

Amidst a loooong illness in hospice and dementia that meant he recognized no one my Grampie still lit up every day when my Grammie showed up. He would turn to whoever else was in the room and say "ah, I'm just the luckiest fella in the world to have the most beautiful woman in the world to love. I love you, Dolly."

She got to be there when he passed away and she died a few months later. I think she was just waiting for him to go first.

Image credits: Zealousideal_End2330

#9

My friend and his fiance wanted a baby and were doing IVF treatment and were down to their last chance. She got pregnant but my friend died three months in from a sudden heart attack.

So basically super bitter for six months but then his daughter was born and is healthy and beautiful.

Image credits: manawasteman

#10

Spending the last month of my mom's life caring for her, teamed up with my sister. We laughed, we cried, we looked at photo books, we ate lots of Mexican tater tots and coffee shakes. Of course, losing her to cancer was horrible, but it was her choice not to seek treatment, so my sister and I decided that, if she was going to go, we would give her the happiest sendoff we could. She died contentedly in her own bed, in the arms of her daughters and granddaughters.

#11

Moving back to my own country after studying in the US for 3 years. I was sad to leave my friends, but happy to leave the country.

Image credits: LadyoftheFjords

#12

The last time I saw my Grandpa. He was in a coma, had been battling Parkinson’s for years. My relatives were talking to the nurse while I sat next to him, holding his hand. For a split second, he slightly opened his eyes, and softly smiled. I will never forget that, it brings so much peace but also pain.

#13

My daughter's double amputation just after her first birthday. It was the most difficult experience of my life, especially the hours leading up to her going into surgery, and I'm too squeamish to let myself think about what the procedure actually involved. But due to a bone defect she would never have been able to walk, or run it dance or climb, unless she'd had the operation. We had to sacrifice her adorable little baby feet. We lost a little part of her that day, but she gained the ability to walk, so it was totally worth it.
If I ever feel sad about what she went through, I just look at her and the sadness goes away because I'm bursting with pride.

#14

My first two pets were two parakeets (aka Budgies). Both passed about 5 months apart but they both said goodbye to me in a way I haven't gotten to experience with any other pet. They were never fully tame and mostly just liked to go out of their cage and spend time together on the curtains or somewhere else that they could perch.

The first to pass was eggbound and her passing was devastating but instead of being alone when she passed I was able to hold her and she rested her head on my finger and chirped once before her time came. The second lived for another 5 months and was never as bouncy as before but in the last month, for an unknown reason she became incredibly tame. Not only did she perch, she would run up to me and snuggle against me. She continued this until one evening she passed peacefully.

I still miss them to this day, but I will always appreciate the goodbyes they gave to me. Here's to you Sunny and Sky.

Image credits: shadoweon

#15

Breaking up with my then girlfriend because her dream of moving abroad permanently was coming true. I was happy for her but sad to see her leave

Image credits: afrocircus6969

#16

Well I may be getting deployed unexpectedly due to the current craziness in the world, so my wife and I decided to get married Saturday.

Happiest day of my life, but I'm nervous about possibly having to leave this week or next.

Image credits: RGB3x3

#17

I let her go. Because i knew i was not the right man for her. It's been years but she still visites me in my dreams and she always smiles at me. Sometime ago i woke up with tears in my eyes. I loved her. When ever i saw her i immidiately felt good, warm inside. She is happy now i know this. And i'm still convinced i made the right decision, she found a better man. But when I think of her, sometimes..., you know... "what if..." Love hurts but i'll keep a special place in my heart, just for her :)

#18

Holding my grandfather's hand as he passed away. It was incredibly sad to see him go, but also relieving to see that it was peaceful and that he had been released.

Image credits: mejok

#19

Watching my babies grow. Obviously I want them to grow well but if I could just pause time for a bit.

Image credits: aragog-acromantula

#20

At my grandmas viewing my little cousin (2)and her dad (my uncle) walked up to see her and to say their goodbyes. As they walked away my little cousin turned to her and waved goodbye

Image credits: Ferman95

#21

Getting the greatest job and worst boss at the same time.

Image credits: TheManWithACleanFace

#22

Graduating from university.

I was incredibly sheltered growing up and as a consequence, I was scared of everything and would jump at my own shadow. I had my first taste of freedom at 16 and up until that point, I had never had noteworthy life experiences - no sleepovers, no going to the mall on my own, didn't know how to cook, etc. Yes, my parents had watched me like a hawk growing up and didn't allow me to do a lot on my own. Anyway, on to uni. I was young, tiny, wispy, shaking with anticipation at the prospect of moving out, going away and living in a university dormitory with my peers. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t think I would make any friends but I did, and we did everything together.

I remember getting sick and missing my mom and my roommate passing me the flu medicine from her own stash. I remember trying alcohol for the first time and my friends laughing silly while a girl throws up behind the couch. I remember discovering boys for the first time and deciding they’re not as icky as I thought. I remember going on road trips, holding hands with strangers I met in a mosh pit, trading kisses and spit with the most beautiful boy only to forget his name and face the day after. My classes were interesting and the beautiful weirdos I met as I hopped and skipped through my university life were just as engaging and so I studied them just as intensely.

I remember surviving my freshman year and being drunk in my own potential. Oh, to be young and invincible! Adulthood has its own set of fun and challenges but I know that I will never be this combination of hope, innocence, curiosity and bravado ever again.

#23

The last conversation I had with my Grandad he was reminiscing about when he was a farmer, and started talking about his horses. I asked him how you took care of a horse back then (he stopped farming in the 1950s, the conversation was in 2004) and he spent a good 30 minutes explaining what they did and how much land you needed etc. A simple conversation about country life and animals, two of his favourite things.

I live in another country so when I said farewell I had a nasty feeling it'd be the final time I ever visited or saw that house. He died 10 months later. The next time I was able to get to England was in 2011 and I visited his grave instead.

Image credits: zerbey

#24

Realizing there was a mutual love with a friend, but that it was platonic, and we absolutely wouldn't work as a couple

Image credits: UltimateAnswer42

#25

Receiving a check for my inheritance as part of Dad's estate.

#26

My dad crying out of happiness while wishing me a happy 15th birthday...

I couldn't really process what I felt, because I was secretly dealing with mental health issues since the past 1-2 years and I pretty much forgot what happiness is and have been in a numb type of mood. I believe that that night was the first time I cried out of what may have been happiness.

#27

Saying goodbye to all of my friends and my hometown to move to college. I'm excited for this new adventure but all of us chilling in my basement playing board games for the last time killed me the moment they had to leave. We were all doing just fine until then, when one after another they started crying as we hugged goodbye. I held it together. The moment they drove away I sobbed. Happened about a week and a half ago so it still hurts. I know that I have (and will) experience much more sad things but this is fresh enough that I'm still heartbroken.