Sickness has come calling on my family, uninvited, I may add, and I did not act as a gracious host. While taking care of one child with Flu B and strep, another child came down with Flu A. I was so diligent in trying to keep it at bay, washing hands like a surgeon, scrubbing with bleach wipes, and living in a fog of Lysol. In spite of my efforts to keep the house sanitized, I managed to fall to flu, strep, and bronchitis. Over the past week and a half, the only time I have left the house is to go to the doctor’s office! I have barely been out of bed.
My normal day to day routine keeps me very busy. The kids have a million places to be. I’m a part of two different sport carpool groups. I run the household which includes cleaning, laundry, bills, cooking, meal prep, shopping, and everything else. I also have CreativeContessaDesigns.com as a wonderful outlet for writing and sharing tips. I’m usually up between 5:00 and 5:30 am and go until about 10:00-11:00 at night (and yes, my wonderful husband does more than his fair share). Many of you do this and more.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and lately I have been complaining that there isn’t any time for “me.” I do so much for everyone else, that I don’t have time left over to relax. Typical martyr stuff!
Taking care of sick children comes with extra duties. I have been asked to hold a tea cup to a child’s lips so she could drink without taking her hands out of the warm covers. I have fixed pajama legs, fluffed pillows, mopped brows, adjusted blankets, dispensed medication, taken temperatures, and gotten up throughout the night to check fever and breathing. I felt more like a nurse than a mom. I tried not to let the exhaustion of constantly doing for others wear me down, but I found myself thinking that it would be nice if someone was taking care of me. BIG MISTAKE!
Now, I’m the one who is sick. Thankfully, the kids are well on their road to recovery, but I can hardly get out of bed! My heart breaks to think about how badly my children felt. Not being able to do anything except sleep and watch tv has left me bored beyond belief. I have found myself missing driving the kids in the carpool, cooking, even grocery shopping.
I have been the lucky recipient of lots of care and concern. My husband has been working tirelessly running errands, cooking, cleaning, making sure I’m ok, and keeping things in check. My carpool moms have picked up the slack from my absence. The kids have been making lunches and helping out in many extra ways. So many offers of help have come through.
Since I have had a lot of time on my hands to think, I have made some discoveries. My life is not perfect, but it is exactly what I need. I actually thrive on being busy and enjoy being needed. I need to appreciate the everyday tasks, no matter how mundane they seem. No one else will take care of things like I do. I also really am thankful for the incredible support group I have in my life. My family and friends are truly wonderful.
While I’m trying to live an “authentic” life this year (see “What is Your Guiding Word?”), I have to be honest with myself and know I need to appreciate all of those around me who lift my life up and make it better. I also need to give thanks for the ability to take care of my family. Sometimes it takes a week of a punishing illness to appreciate the little things in life that add up to make it wonderful.
How do you refocus on what is important in your life?
Share your thoughts!