It's been a long week!

I really jinxed myself with the earlier post titled "coping" - that should have been called "bracing oursevles". I look way too happy for the reality that was soon to follow. What I thought would just be a quick flu ended up lasting all week and pretty much wiped out all of us except Paul who was luckily out of town. Thankfully he returned home just as I became non-functioning. He said the scene in our bedroom was quite interesting and reminded him of an ad for "save the children" with all the kids laid out in sleeping bags and make shift beds around our room. It was the only way I could care for them all and myself at the same time. The whole week was quite miserable and it really isn't over yet but I feel happy to have gained some insight from it all.

1. Compassion. I never really get that sick. I remember once in college being out for a week but other than that I'm quite resilliant. I use to fake sick in high school a lot so I guess when others say they're sick I don't give much compassion because in the back of my mind I'm thinking "yeah right- they just want a break from work or other responsibilities- what a baby". I never understood the term "achy" I thought it just meant people were too lazy to get out of bed. I have learned much from Paul's example of compassion this week. He knew just how to show love, care and patience. That was better than any medicine.

2. Letting it all go. I've become quite task oriented as a homemaker. I often feel like I shouldn't sleep, relax or enjoy myself until certain tasks are completed. One of my sisters called and asked how I was feeling... her next question was "so how does your house look"? I was honest in both resposes. I never felt worse and my house was pretty disgusting. But I realize there's no need to panic. It's okay to have a sink of dirty dishes and my floors sticky with spilled Gatorade (it is actually worse than I'm able to describe). I just have to let it go and let myself recover. I have quite a bit of clean-up and catch-up but will not attack it in a frenzy like a typically do. I'll take my time and just let some things go until I'm back 100% - that may even mean the Easter dresses I was sewing for the girls :(

3. Enjoying my family. Today William was jumping all over the couch and tossing the pillows around. Typically I would have stopped him but I didn't - I was just so happy to see him smiling and bursting with energy. Peter and James have been making messes with LEGOs and Playmobil all morning, Maryanna tried pouring her own smoothie and it went all over the counter, then Clara had another major blowout in her crib. After a week of watching them suffer through fevers, aches, and coughing all night I am just happy to see some signs of recovery.

4. I need to find a Doctor that makes house calls!