It is now officially “Week Three” of the “Snapp Great Influenza Plague of 2010.”
I’m not kidding.
We still have the stomach flu. After three weeks.
Our first victim was Sawyer. Next, Solomon and Susannah went down. This week, it’s Sawyer again and me. Yes. Me. And yes, poor Sawyer has had it twice. He’s the trooper in our clan.
It’s been nothing but fun at our house these days – even the neighbors don full-protective gear when walking outside on the sidewalk in front of our dwelling. And I completely don’t blame them.
It’s the most vicious strand of the flu I have experienced in my career as a mother to date. It wreaks havoc in all areas and just lingers with fun side effects like a high fever and others I won’t mention here. Use your imagination.
So far we are down a chair (a special thanks to our friends at Magna-Dry for coming to pick up our chair and deep-cleaning it for us) and after this evening, our couch could be as well.
Did I mention that I also have it? Yes? Just checking.
After baths this evening, I was looking forward to sitting myself on the couch for some much-needed snuggle time with my three little people. As I was helping Solomon brush his teeth, Sawyer ran to tell me that he had “bomitted” downstairs on the carpet.
He was crying so I made a mental note to not freak-out and began the process of cleaning him up. I think Solomon might have finished brushing his teeth on his own. I don’t know.
Susannah was still incessantly talking about the fact that I would not allow her to eat another package of Smarties for dessert – even after I had taken away the first one because she was being ungrateful. Yes, as I was cleaning vomit off of her brother. I made a mental note that we needed to re-teach the gratitude lesson.
When we went downstairs, I saw that Sawyer had indeed hit the carpet. And the couch.
While barking orders to go nowhere near the vomit (“No, mommy. It’s bomit,” Sawyer exclaimed. Whatever.), I began the clean-up process.
Did I mention that I also have the stomach flu? Yes? Just checking.
I started with the floor and began to have a pity party for my late-working-husband-sick-mother-with-sick-children-self. It was spiritual attack. The world was suddenly against me.
I took the couch cushions outside and began to scrub and became even grouchier. What did I do to anyone? Who did I tick-off? Why do I deserve this?
And then it came to me.
Cry me a river. Last week, I was talking about peace like a river. This week, it’s cry me a river.
Because I was suddenly struck by the thought of a woman from our community who passed away last winter after a long battle with breast cancer. She left behind a young family and a devoted husband. My second biggest fear.
I still have the opportunity to serve my family. I am still here.
We are simply blessed enough to only be dealing with the stomach flu. Not cancer. Not MS. Not Malaria. Not AIDS.
I’m guessing if one of those patients had the choice between cleaning up their child’s vomit and waging the war they are waging, they would gladly hang up their armor and put on a pair of gloves.
My family is my ministry. In sickness and in health, I take them. I choose to serve them because I love them more than I ever thought it was possible to love anything or anyone at all. They are better than myself.
I’m willingly serving them in love and while I still may not be overjoyed when I have to clean-up vomit or poo from the carpet, at least I know that I can. And while I know that I can’t possibly fathom the greatness on what is on the other side, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be here now, serving them and loving them so they will in turn someday be able to do the same for their children.
Serving and loving is a generational cycle. One that I hope will never end.
For more Word Filled Wednesday, please bless yourself today and visit Internet Cafe Devotions.
OH! Bless you! Praying for you and your sweet family to be healthy again!
.-= Cat, from iBlog´s last blog ..Blueprint Bliss – an iBlog feature =-.
What a wonderful perspective! You are SO not alone in the pity party of sick-mom-caring-for-sick-family. Been there, done that. Many times.
I’m going to earmark this post, so I can come back to it when the next pity party threatens.
Hope you feel better soon!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..A new pet =-.
i needed this reminder today. thank you…and thank your flu ;) hoping that you and your sweet family feel better soon though!!!
.-= alison´s last blog ..shutterlove tuesday- blue =-.
Bless your heart. Hope they start feeling better soon.
Have a blessed WFW♥
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Project 365- My week in pictures =-.
oh. bless your heart- yes.. it is a good reminder that things could be so worse. God teaches us in the trenches.. and see what insight you had while scrubbing ‘bommit’?
I hope your family is on the mend soon.. gosh.. maybe you’ll get it all out of the way now and make it thru flu free this winter!
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..has it really been a week =-.
Hey! I haven’t been by in a while, but sad to see all have been ill.
Ughhh!
You crack me up.
Ginger
.-= Ginger´s last blog ..In the Name of Jesus =-.
Oh dear, I have SO been there…and I cried when I read about your beautiful heart getting all straightened out! I will pray it doesn’t last much longer.
Our prayers are with you! I am so sorry for your rough patch and PRAY healing comes your way quickly! If you need ANYTHING, please let me know! You are such an amazing mom and will get through this time and then SOMEDAY (maybe many years from now) look back and be able to laugh. God’s peace and grace to you today!
Ironic that my last ICDevo devotional was on “pity party?” Uhhh, no…been there and this was just incredibly transparent and real girl…I laughed (bomited) and cried (as I thought of those women who would in a heartbeat change places with any of us as they face head on the fact that they may not witness these everyday events much longer)
I’m leaving humbled and with a perspective of gratitude…It is a ministry. Oh, it’s not Africa or some far off land, but it is indeed a ministry…you will LAUGH someday…if at nothing else…”bommit” will have you in stitches one day…
love your heart!
praying you all are WELL again soon!
peace,
lori
Saying prayers for you all.
.-= Denise´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday =-.
now that’s perspective! I love it! So hard we don’t remember sometimes eh?! lol
I’ll be praying that you guys feel better!
I love the bomit comment. I’m still laughing. I’m touching wood as I say this, but we haven’t had the flu around here in over a year. Now that I’ve said this, we will all be sick within a few weeks. Here’s hoping that you’re all on the mend that you can get some mommy rest.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Wednesdays Voice – Pakistan =-.
Awww sorry you are all sick with that nasty flu… nothing worse when you don’t feel well yourself, than having to clean up after other’s… but as you so beautifully realised, there are indeed, things that are worse. Like cancer. That word strikes fear into my very heart, I confess.
How special that the Lord helped you put it all into correct perspective… and how beautiful that you have such a willing heart to perceive the Truth.
Ugg!!! I hate the stomach bug, hate it, hate it, hate it!!
I’m so sorry you and your kiddos are feeling so awful, and I hope you get better quickly. And seriously, quit writing when you’re sick. I’m pretty sure puke damages keyboards. Just sayin’ . . .
Very good WFW — even in the midst of your yucks! You’re inspiring me, girl!
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..Christmas is for Giving Books =-.