Sick in bed

We have not had a good season when it comes to colds. I think it's because my husband is a teacher, and brings things home from his students. (High schoolers seem to be sick a lot.) My husband is on his second awful cold in as many months, I had that horrible one in November, James had his very first ear infection, and Elisabeth is now sick in bed for only the second or third time in her life! (She definitely wins the immune system award in our house -- she is so rarely sick.)

My mom was able to stop by yesterday with a fresh coloring book for Elisabeth (always a nice thing to have when you're laid up), and we also got out some little toys that Elisabeth had been given as a gift for acting as a flower girl in a friend's wedding two years ago. We'd forgotten all about them up on a shelf, and everyone was excited to learn that the little characters were actually finger puppets! Elisabeth's dolls have been her constant companions (along with a big pile of winter and holiday books and her snow globe), and snacks of frozen berries and card games have come in very handy, as well.

All this has me thinking about the rituals that we keep when our children are not themselves -- suffering, under the weather, emotionally distressed, etc. Most of the time I kind of think that those times are isolated and somehow not part of our "real life." And yet, there they are, cropping up and reminding me of the messiness of life. And how important these times of convalescence are: to nourish a sick child's body, to nurture a sorrowful child's spirit, to ease a suffering child's mind. What does it take to do that job? Yes, it takes some real physical things: some eucalytus oil in the vaporizer, a homeopathic remedy under the tongue, a cool cloth on the forehead, a gentle massage of aching muscles. But most of all, it takes time. Time is the best gift I can give my children, when they need me, and even when they think they don't. Time that sometimes I think I don't have. But if I really take the time to be present with my children, everything else seems to fall into place anyway. That time spent is an even greater gift to me.

I love this post by Molly, which she ends by saying that a system is not what is needed to raise our children well. She's so right. It shouldn't just be, "Make dinner? Check. Fold laundry? Check. Nourish my child's body, mind, and soul? Check."

Some of my "to-do's" may go unchecked over these few days. But being a present mother to my wee ones is the greatest to-do of all.   

Comments

[Aimee]

Beautiful post...I so often get caught up in my "check off list" that I miss the unhurried time to just relate and be with. Thanks for the reminder.

[molly]

this is a fabulous post and so true to my heart right now, too. I think you know that...

Elle may be sick, but she's still cute as a button!

[kirsten]

can i be sick at your house? :)

[Alicia A.]

She's one cutey-pie sick kid.

I hope she feels better right away!

[Nicole]

It is during the times when I forget the "to do" list that my children and I are the happiest, creativity thrives, and fun ensues. My little ones are always aware when I am giving my time freely and lovingly or when I am just checking things off my list. Thank you for the lovely reminder of being mindful and in the moment. I notice in your sidebar you have a Peggy O'Mara book what an inspiration she is!!!

[Laura]

well put, grace. the holiday season is an easy time for me to get caught up in to-do's. but i'm making an effort this year to be more present for my boys. that means getting less done, and that's okay.

[emily]

you guys have had quite a run of bugs. i do hope elle feels better soon. but that quiet time together while she's mending - enjoy it.

[Dawn]

These are important things to remember. Even with being sick, your daughter looks beautiful in those photos.

[Mary Beth]

Such a great reminder again to be present in our own lives and those of our children. And I love her little sick-a-bed scene!

[Ram in the Thicket]

Nicely written. It's so hard to slow down for our children, but sometimes we need to do just that.

[Bluebirdbaby]

Feel better soon E!! I love these pics by the way. What is the significance of the felted woman above her bed?

[Bluebirdbaby]

Oh, have you ever tried Boiron's Oscillococcinum? Seriously, this stuff is magic!!

[Amanda]

You must be the best nurse ever! Can I please get sick and come over?

[cloth.paper.string]

may you be feeling better over there. we too have had it in this season -- the passing around of those immune system building germs gets old after a few weeks!

i love your words and thoughts about taking good care in those simple and quiet ways allowed by being truly present. surely one of the best elixirs.

[My Inspired Heart - Sandra]

What a beautiful post! And...just what I needed to hear at this very moment :) T.I.M.E. - Living in the present moment; things I've had to remind myself about lately. Thanks for the inspiring words, they have just set my mind back on track :)

[cyndi]

lovely post. thank you. i too often get caught up in the list. luckily aomething always happens to help me untangle myself.

by the way, your daughter has the face of an angel.

[Ella]

Well written and i couldn't agree with you more.

[Stacey]

Wonderful post. Our trick for slowing down is keeping random books of poetry scattered around the house and pausing and reading them out loud when it strikes us. Even if were on a list doing mode there is a pause for beauty. I hope Elle is feeling better.

[Jade]

Beautiful post. Thanks for the reminder during a season of neverending to-dos.

[Jessie Bryson]

She looks comfortable despite her illness. You are doing a good job!

[UNCOMMON GRACE]

Bluebirdbaby ~ We are big oscillococcinum fans. My husband was taking it all weekend and now he's 100% better. Elle had good luck with it on this cold as well ~ she's up today!

The angel above her bed is a little needle-felted angel girl that the Tooth Fairy brought when she lost her first top tooth, which is apparently a very big deal to the Tooth Fairy. ;)

[qalballah]

Illness just sucks the energy out of the house, doesn't it. Glad to hear she's on the mend.

((hugs))

[ani]

thank you for this gentle reminder. i am the queen of the multitask and i need to remember that the laundry will always be there, but the small tot won't.

[suse]

Time is the easiest thing to give to a child, yet probably the one it's easiest to let slip. Lovely reminder, thankyou.

I forget how I was led here, but I've enjoyed discovering your blog today. We celebrate advent too, and my children will be walking the spiral next week at school. Our advent verses are those that celebrate the natural world (week 1, mineral world etc). It's become a cherished tradition in our family.

Blessings,
Suse

[heather]

that is the most beautiful sick child i have ever seen! i do hope she feels better soon...

[tamara]

What a wonderful post. Somedays I get really bogged down with my 4 kidlets, homeschooling and all the other events of the day, this is such a eloquent reminder for me to slow down and really just "be" with them.

Hope Elle feels better real soon.

[kristin]

oh, yes...this sounds familiar...rest well...in body and spirit...

[Rita Joiner]

Wonderful reminder! Thank you, it was so helpful.