Yesterday, I had the stomach flu. I found myself slicing bananas for sidekicks lunch, hunched over because that is the only way I felt relief and feeling like every slice of the banana was like a slice through my very soul. Over-dramatic? Yes. Real. Yes, yes, yes!
Today, I think I might live.
A friend of mine recently had a four-day bout with strep. I think we both realized, on different levels, that mom cannot be sick. It doesn’t matter how supportive and helpful your husband is-the kids still need Mom. As endearing and lovely as it feels now, at the time, the small requests and battles are very overwhelming.
I didn’t get the day off. Instead, I found myself laying on a blanket on the lawn or trampoline while the kids played outside. Trying not to move on the couch watching as our toy room became ground zero, the kids watching far too much tv.
I tried really hard to be gentle and loving, a good mom, but I fear I failed. However, we made it. The kids are alive and well and incredibly happy to see mom her old self again today.
I would never venture to assume this battle is anything like that seen when an actual Black Hawk goes down, but in our little spot of the world, when mom gets sick, it feels very much that way.
But, as mom’s do, we get up anyway. We make lunch, the kids still get a bath-or at least dressed-okay at least diapers get changed. Drinks get made, and kids still get hugs. How we do it, I don’t know-but we do. Being a mom is pretty powerful stuff. It gives me power I never knew I had.
I also realized my sidekicks love me quite a bit. They were awesome yesterday! So, for each and every mother-I send magical, powerful, immune increasing fairy dust-cause being sick-well, it just can’t happen.
You speak the truth! Love it 😉