All The Little Things
Two nights ago, I climbed wearily into my bed and set the alarm two hours ahead. All three kids were burning with fever and even doses of medicine weren't much help. Still, I kept to my schedule of stumbling blearily to bedsides, smoothing back tousled hair from scalding brows, pouring medicine into unwilling mouths and holding straws for sips of water.
Then I stumbled back to my own bed, setting the alarm carefully to make sure the next medicine does would be on schedule. In case you were wondering, I look fantastic.
The kids have been really sick for a week. I expect they will be well enough to return to school tomorrow, as there is no sign of fever this morning, and they are back to being wild. And while a part of me was scared that this would be a flu that turned into something worse, a pneumonia that ended with IVs and hospital beds, there was another part of me that was like - WOOOO! THEY ARE ALL QUIET AND SLEEPING AND DON'T WANT ANY DINNER!
Of course, a day or two of that was enough, and I'm glad to see the fever has receded.
When my kids are sick, that's when they all become my babies again. My almost-nine year old (oh my GOD when did that happen?) lays curled with her head on my lap, stroking her cheek mindlessly in the comfort gesture of her infant days. My son just wants to be held. He lays his aching head on my shoulder and presses himself into my arms. If he could somehow force his way inside my skin, he'd do it with glee.
My youngest, no longer a baby, still folds herself up into my arms and wants me to pat her little back and butt, an echo of the time when I would pat my belly and sing songs to her in the womb.
We're so busy now. They're so big. Sometimes stealing those hours to just hold each other is impossible. But this week, the clock stopped for a time, and I got to remember all the little things.
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Comments
My boy turns nine today (2/8) and he was sick sick sick a couple weeks ago. 103 temp for a week and some vomiting. The doctor said it was just a flu but I still wanted him better Right Now! But at the same time I liked the fact he wanted to cuddle and snuggle. Is that wrong of me? *grin*
Posted by: Anastasia | February 8, 2008 3:04 PM
I'm so glad I 'm not the only one who feels this way. SugarPlum is 11 (ELEVEN!!) - which in itself seems impossible - and just last night had a migraine. She spent a good share of the night sleeping with her head on my chest, frequently wrappping my arm back around her so that I could pat her. I need that. How selfish!
Posted by: buffi | February 9, 2008 1:14 PM
It's wonderful that you found the blessing amid the fevers. I have just one child who's four, and he's been sick all week. It really stresses me out, so I admire what you have to go through with three who are under the weather.
BTW, I love the piggies!
Posted by: Surcie | February 9, 2008 4:46 PM
That's so sweet. Time does indeed fly by too quickly. I think I'm going to go pick up my girls now and hug them. Love your blog!
"Sinatra Junkie"
From the weekend blog hoppers
Posted by: Darrin | February 9, 2008 7:53 PM
So sweet. :) Who is the patron saint of sleep deprived mothers with three children who have a rotten flu? St. Tequila?
Posted by: Lisa Stone | February 20, 2008 5:58 PM
I have 5 children, and like you I longed for the time when I was able to hold them as long as I want. Time does fly and if you don't stop to catch it, it will disappear forever.
Posted by: Chris Austria | February 21, 2008 1:12 PM
Thanks, Jenny, for the poignantly written reminder. I've often written about how time seems to move in only one direction - forward - and at one velocity - fast. And no matter what we do, we can't change this very stark reality.
But we CAN change how we treasure the fleeting moments and remember them before they slip into the past. I try to do that with my kids each and every day, and it's transformed me as a parent, a husband and a person.
I appreciate your sharing this. We've been non-stop sick for the past month, and we've been trying so hard to capture moments like this amid the chaos. It's why I so love being in this family.
Posted by: Carmi | February 24, 2008 2:38 PM
The silver lining on a clouded flu or cold. The comfort of being totally needed and completely emeshed again with our little ones. My 4 year old son has a fever of 104 today and I don't know what's wrong. I'm so happy for Tylenol and IB Profin and wet washcloths on his head.
Posted by: Asia Snow | February 26, 2008 3:38 PM
I laughed at the 'they're quiet and dont' want dinner' part, I feel awful but isnt' that the truth!? My son is a handful, but when he's sick it's TOO quiet around here. Ok for one day, but then after that I get antsy.
Posted by: jen | February 26, 2008 5:39 PM