I want you to know that if you are on my Christmas list, you probably won't be getting a card from us this year. And those cookies I wanted to make for you? Nope. You see... God has blessed us with an opportunity to simplify during this week before Christmas. That is the silver lining that I see in the clouds of this nasty stomach virus.
I'm not as rattled as I would have been in years past. I've learned that these things happen (every 3rd Christmas or so) and I'm incredibly grateful that it is not actually Christmas day. We will be at Mass. We will be able to visit. And if some things don't get done? I guess that's all right.
This is the first time in 24 hours that I am able to sit upright. It's the first time today that I've been out of bed for more than 5 minutes at a time. I have had visits all day from the rapidly healing children and do you know what? It's been really nice.
Board games on the bed with Crash. Time to talk with Cookie while she knits. Comforting button next to me while she continues to suffer. Nursing Little Cub. Listening to Professor give a magic show to the little ones downstairs. Seeing Jellybean so concerned about everyone she loves. Crash gave me a bell to ring should I need his assistance. Cookie has been bringing me jello.
Last night was brutal. I slept on the bathroom floor. I became so dehydrated that my body wouldn't produce milk for Cub. That is the first time such a thing has happened in 14 years of mothering. And the muscles all over my body (including my fingers and back) cramped for hours until I was able to rehydrate a bit. Chief went to Walmart at 2:00 am for me and came home with 18 gallons of fluids... just in case one thing or another appealed to me more.
Now the Chief is down and the children are waiting on him.
The week before Christmas is generally a very busy and exciting time. But I don't know how long it will take to bounce back... and I'm letting it go.
As we head into this final period of preparation, I'm awfully glad that we decorated the tree earlier than usual. And that we have indoor plumbing and a functioning washing machine and dryer. I'm grateful for my sweet family and the time we have had together in this illness.
Ah, my time is up. Back to bed. There are presents to wrap. Packages to mail. Food to prepare. Clothes to iron.... and I'm letting it go. God is good. Thanks be to God!
7 comments:
I am currently at home with the middle and little children while my hubby and eldest girls are at Saturday evening Mass. The reason...headache and nausea in the boy. We are praying it is not the stomach flu as our washing machine just crashed today and we're unable to get a repair man until Wednesday. Even then, they typically don't have the needed part to make the repair. I see the laundry-mat in my near future!
Much like you, I know that these things happen and do my best to just let go and deal with it. And you're right, it is about every 3 years. I hope that you are all on the mend and will be good by Christmas. God Bless!
I am sooo sorry that you are feeling so bad! And a stomach virus is the worst, in my opinion. How amazing you are to have any perspective through it! Prayers for healing!
praise God that you are embracing this cross. i will offer Mass for you and your family.
pax Christi,
Lena
I can totally relate. I've got the cold (Nick named the Plague). I've been since for 17 days strength. I'm going to Rome in 10 days and as of now I have no voice, vomiting, ache all over, can't stop coughing, and have an ear infection. I've been on antibiotics for 10 days and am sicker now than I was when they were prescribed. Did I mention I have a yeast infection too probably caused by the antibiotics. And I have a house full of people. Oh yes I can relate. Please, Lord make all of your sick ones better for your birthday.
Oh Heather... praying for your family that you are not undergoing the suffering of a stomach ailment with multiple children and a broken washer! And pregnant, too! Blessed Mother, please shelter the Kraft family as they prepare to welcome your Infant Son this Christmas.
Thank you, Stina and Lena-I am so grateful for your prayers. It has been a real challenge. Probably the sickest we have been in years. The 8 of us have lost about 35 pounds collectively in one week. Thank God that He spared the littlest ones the most... but the oldest among us seemed to have the roughest time (I guess we have the most reparation to do anyway!!).
Baroness - Prayers definitely joining with yours for your speedy recovery. I am so sorry that you are suffering so much, especially right before Christmas and travel! God bless you!
Ohhhh Melanie, my heart goes out to your dear family. It does STINK to be sick like this but many blessings do go along with it. You sing the graces and thanksgiving that go a long with times like this, praise God. I always love that it makes me appreciate the little things and precious moments. You and your family will fill my morning prayers this week!
So far, just ear infections and cough/cold/body aches (me included...ugh!)...but, I'll take it over the stomach flu! We have a dear neighbor who let us do some loads of laundry over the weekend and we're hoping the repair man comes with a fully van stocked with any part he may need to fix us up and get us washing again. Hope that you are all doing better and keeping solids down. God bless you this Christmas season! :-)
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