Mothering ~ 12/52

Joining Barb in 52 weeks of daily life in pictures: trials and celebrations, the extraordinary and mundane --

Yes, the Lysol image indicates germs....sickness...
This week we've had an intestinal illness effect my 2nd son and my little girl. As one of the boys notes, "Ah, the smell of Lysol...who threw up?!" That's a logical sequence in our house.

I think mothers suffer along with their children. There's this immediate impulse to drop everything, love them more, fuss over them....

Brings back memories of my childhood. My mother would immediately draw the sick child a bath. The coolish water, aimed to bring down our fever, would upset us to tears in the tub. But she'd come for us with fresh pajamas. She'd stripped our beds also and the linens would be crisp and cool. She'd tuck us in warmly and the shivers would recede to a feeling of well-being. And when she said, "See, I told you this all would make you feel better," it built the foundation of all the times, in fact, she had been right...would be right.

She'd bring up a fancy bed tray with tea and toast on it. On occasion I remember her running out to buy puzzle magazines, Archie comics or TigerBeat magazines from the pharmacy and Matza ball soup from the nearby Jewish deli. (I still feel better at the thought of Matza ball soup.)

For my children, I wonder if they'll remember the sick bell and the cozy blankets I cover them with? My girl is hugging her bucket. The same one many brothers barfed in to, pardon the expression. That's probably what they'll remember most. Yet, she's getting to watch a Garfield movie as a treat. But there's no Jewish deli near here. I know they all will remember the smell of Lysol and, hopefully, my loving attention.

But as I am now on the mother side of the situation, I know something now that my mother probably knew and that I know my friends know. A mother suffers along, too. The suffering isn't so much in the cleaning up of the vomit as it is in the worry. What's wrong? Do they need to see a doctor? How sick are they? Am I missing something serious here? Do I have the faith to go wherever God's will may take me?

As for the rest of the week, two ideas to share.

1. As I can no longer force them, all, to drink out of color coded cups, I am trying something new to take a stand against a bajillion cups used per day.
This is the new, official cup spot. Your cup goes on your color. Let's see how long this lasts...or if it works.

2. Last weekend a mom in our homeschool group organized a group party called game night. What a hit! You should try it with your friends and their children. The moms had a great time playing Pictionary. One of the Dads taught the boys to play Risk. Little kids did puzzles together, and color/shape bingo. Older kids played Apples to Apples and some soccer and football while it was still light outside.

And so another week comes to a close, a memorable mix.

Hope yours was Lysol-free.