It’s 5am. I hear the “Lion King” playing in my living room. Dazed and confused, I suddenly remember…it’s been the night from hell.
Last week, Stone was sick to his stomach for two days on Monday and Tuesday. I was so grateful that the bug stopped there. Stomach bugs, with this many stomachs, can be horrific.
And then yesterday, starting at noon, 11 year old Glory began vomiting. And by 8pm, 11 children were throwing up…CONSTANTLY. I mean, we have four toilets in this house, one of which is broken…so three toilets were not enough and we were reduced to bowls and bags to barf in. Oh my word.
So with the Circle of Life theme song still going strong as I stumbled to the bathroom, I thought of you guys. Forget a blog post, I thought. I hadn’t had time in the last 24 hours to write a nice little parenting tidbit for you, and I very well may not for the next 48-72! But in between rushing with paper towels and rinsing off sheets I wanted to ask you all for prayer…and also let you know…
When you come to days like this, perspective is important. Sure, this many stomachs emptying their contents every 30 minutes is pretty foul…but I bet there is a mom at a hospital right now who would give everything she had for her child to be just vomiting because of a virus, not because of chemotherapy. Some other parent is sitting next to her child that incurred a serious brain injury…she would gladly clean up every puddle in my house right now if she could trade places and her child would be healthy and whole.
So instead of focusing on the foul…I am using my spare minutes in the shower, going from kiddo to kiddo, and praying for those kids in the hospital, those parents that are faced with a far more serious sickness, and thanking God that in two or three more days, my ordeal will be over…but many parents face can years of illness and injury.
Perspective, people. And thankfulness. And paper towels. And Lysol. That’s it folks.
***This article was originally posted in November of 2013…but with so many sick recently and suffering from the flu, I thought it was worth a repost.
cherylplourde says
Amen Amen and Amen!!!!! Thank you.
Aimee Nelson says
Lyette,
I so understand! As both my boys (5 & 7 ) had foul things coming from both ends early Tuesday morning, I was reminded not to complain. I am one of those parents who has been on the end of a child with a serious life threatening condition. When you aren’t sure they will survive the next 24 hours, you’ll take a 24 hour, Lysol spraying, Clorox cleaning, Dial bathing, hand sanitizing bug any day!! It’s ALL about perspective!! Praying for you and your family!
Lyette Reback says
Amy I am so grateful that your wee one is ok! Thank God!
Tami says
Great perspective!
Lyette Reback says
I know with that sweet girl who has been so sick since this fall, your school has probably had some of this mindset…being thankful for the hardships we bare when faced with someone who is battling for their life! Still praying for Jenny!
Sonya Milu says
A dear friend just informed us the cancer has returned in his precious daughter. Please pray for the family. Great post!
Kimberly Lague says
Amen! I was reminded of this as my daughter lay in a coma. She was not facing a life threatening illness, only the possible loss of a limb. She would survive and thrive while so many others would not. Perspective changes the world. Praying for you all. Hang in there, Momma!