What's the fun in not feeling well?

 No one ever chooses to be sick, it really isn't fun, but after a long week of battling it in our home I'm going to play "the glad game".  Because.........all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7).

Still, I resist "not feeling well" because it does not fit too well into my daily routine.  Here's a view of a day in our life.  I have gone to such extremes to stay well  and "keep up with our routine" as to rubbing my feet with oregano oil, stuffing my socks with fresh chopped onions, eating cloves of fresh garlic, downing spoonfuls of fermented cod liver oil and stocking my cupboards with herbs and homeopathic remedies.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  When it doesn't, I recognize our bodies have limitations and then allow the experience to teach me.

That being said, I lived half of last week in denial of being sick.

I knew a bunch of the kids were sick because some had fevers, some had coughs, and some threw up.  The laundry piled high as it often does when children are sick, I let it.  Paul came to the rescue as he often does when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I let him.  He took a trip to the laundry mat for me Friday morning.

It was still early when he returned.  I told him to dump the warm clean clothes on the couch so I could fold it all before they wrinkled.  The pile was so warm I took a nap instead.  That was fun. 

When I woke up I found William under the other half of the laundry.  He helped me fold for a bit but when I recognized I did not have the strength to finish the task I cancelled our plans for the day and decided to take a real nap in my bed.  That was smart.

I don't know what happened in the next 24 hours because I did not move too far from my pillow.  I know the kids moved through about 6 boxes of Rice Chex from our food storage and watched at least 6 hours of movies.  That was probably fun for them. 

Paul set up a portable crib in his office and took care of the baby and that was helpful.

Though not really physically comfortable, the hours I rested and laid in bed led to some very quiet reflective thinking.  I watched the snow fall softly outside my window.  It was then I realized I needed mental rest just as much as I needed physical rest and was this weekend flu allowed me both.

When Henry noticed I was not feeling well he rubbed my head and back and brought me his blankie.  It was also sweet to hear a few of the other children check on me and report that they had said a prayer for me.  William was really honest and told me he said a prayer for me to get better because he was really getting tired of eating Rice Chex and bananas.  That was funny.

I also got to watch 4 movies in bed and that was a treat.  The girls joined me for Emma and I'll never forget Maryanna's impatience in whining..."when is she going to marry Mr. Nightly"?!  I'll also never forget Clara's clapping, giggles and kissy sounds when Mr. Nightly finally professed his love for Emma.  I am very impressed that they sat through the whole movie and even more impressed with how it since shaped their pretend princess play.  I also allowed them to stop in and out of The Young Victoria, Anna and the King, and Meet Me in St. Louis but those shows did not hold their attention like Emma did.

I didn't make it to church on Sunday but recognizing my absence one dear friend brought by some delicious chicken soup.  One of Paul's friends brought by a bag of goodies for him and the kids to eat.  Both were very thoughtful and kind.

By Monday night I was almost on my feet so I allowed the boys a movie party of their own in my bed.  They watched Rudy.

It has since been a slow week.  James became quite lonely when his two closest brothers came down with it.  This made him realize how lucky he was to have them to play with everyday, that is what he told me.  I checked the family book log and found James passed the time reading through The Little Lame Prince, Tom Sawyer, and Huck Finn.  With my appetite still at a loss he also took over all cooking duties.  This both pleased me and impressed me.

When Peter got sick he sweetly requested a baby massage.  I'm sorry I never got around to it but took the request as a need for more affection and that I gladly gave.    

When Clara got sick she spent a day in my bed with her Calico Critters.  I love how she tucked them in next to her.  I also love how William has taken this slow week to experiment with black and white photography.

James is just now hit with it.  He vocalized his frustration and resistance to being sick in questions and comments such as "why do we have to have trials"?, "this is just not comfortable, how can I make it through this"?, "I just don't want this right now","why do our bodies have weakness", "this is torture!".......though I felt sorry for him all wrapped in a blanket and barf bucket on his lap, I would not trade the thoughtful discussion that came from this episode of discomfort.  I thanked him for expressing his feelings so honestly and admitted that I allowed the same thoughts to run through my mind just days earlier.  I then shared with him something that I learned through giving birth. Pains and trials just come, it is part of life.  Though we cannot control the trial, we can control our resistance, and sometimes in letting go, we allow ourselves to pass through the trial in more peace than pain.  He took it with a deep breath, allowed himself to throw up a few times then declared, "I know I can get through this, and gain courage from this experience".  That was fantastic!       

I really don't know when this all will end.  Did I plan for our family to be down with a horrible flu?  No Way!  In fact, I've had to cancel all sorts of fun plans.  But though our days have been slow, and at times uncomfortable, this experience has been rich in so many ways and I'm sure it may even be fun to look back on someday.