Time sure flies, and in less than one week, we will be officially moved into our new home…yahoo! I am full of anticipation and excitement. I look forward to a beautiful new neighbourhood, a yard where our children will play, and our friends and family will gather, and a house we will in time, make ours. Yet, my excitement is mixed with sadness. At the same time that we are eager with boxes packed to the ceiling, real estate finalizations and planning and organizing for our big day, my Grandmother lies in a hospital bed. She is so sick, very weak and dying of cancer…
Speaking to her on the phone earlier today, her voice seemed distant. She has had so much pain to endure. The cancer is spreading throughout her body at a rapid pace. It just didn’t feel like I was talking to Gramma today. The conversation made me so sad.
Life sure is full of its ups and downs. It’s so hard to know how to feel when they happen all at once.
Illness sure has taken it’s toll on the Robertson household this week! First, our Son Liam was sick on Thursday and Friday. Two days later it was my turn, and I still find myself feeling somewhat unwell while I recover and avoid certain foods. I know Butter Chicken and other curries will not be on my wish list for a long time! My husband Stuart is still recovering as well, feeling very weak and shaky, but currently in the best place he can be…bed.
It amazes me when we are sick, how we automatically revert back to our childhood patterns, longing for someone to care for us. While at my worst, all I wanted was comforting, crackers and for someone to rub my back. In reality, my husband had to provide the majority of his care to our son, during the worst of my illness and I was able to cope on my own, and the same can be said for him. I am thankful that our illnesses were not at exactly the same time, or I really don’t know what we would have done.
Many things change when you become a parent. That’s obvious, I know, but some of the little things are the ones that you really aren’t ready for, and perhaps never can be. One of the biggest changes I have noted since my recent “parenting journey” began is this:
“Parents simply cannot get sick!”
As we proceed with caution into the upcoming days, I pray for healing and strength in our house. I hope to get the housework back in order, hot meals prepared, and I also hope that we did not “share” any of our germs with friends in the past week, before we knew that we were about to be ambushed by this horrible affliction!
This parenting business sure does take energy…I am glad that mine is finally starting to return. I really have missed it!
While I do have a washer, dryer and other modern conveniences that prevent me from having to do my laundry by beating the clothes on a rock, today I felt like a Wild Washerwoman. I have never in my life done so many loads of laundry in one day! I will surely swoon at the sight of our next hydro bill. In no way am I exaggerating when I say that I did at least 12 loads! The reason you ask…? Liam was very sick last night, and barfed on pretty much everything in the upstairs of our house (my husband and myself included…several times each!) The poor little guy had his 12 month shots (a bit late mind you) yesterday, and evidently he didn’t react very well to them. This was the first real experience either Stuart or I has had in taking care of a very sick little person, and it was one of the scariest evenings of our lives! Without going into graphic detail, I simply could not believe how much *stuff* came out of his little tummy! We rocked him, talked in hushed voices, offered sips of water, and eventually, called Telehealth Ontario for advice. It really is horrible to watch your child in such distress, knowing that besides providing comfort, there really isn’t a lot you can do for them.
I am however, happy to report that Liam is feeling much better today, and while I don’t think he is 100% quite yet, he played happily this morning and I was able to take him on a short outing this afternoon.
But, they say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, so on a positive note, I have gotten an early start on my spring cleaning! All of the bedding from the pillow-top, to sheets, to duvet and covers all got a thorough washing today! Again, here I am talking about spring…wishful thinking or what!
