I have a confession to make: I’m not a nice sick person. Some people take being sick in their stride. They get their blankets and their cups of tea, and they curl up on the couch and enjoy the opportunity to watch a bit of guilt-free television. I turn into a pathetic cry-baby and start whining about the fact that I can’t go for a run.
I have a thing about needing control over my body, and in this respect I’m probably no different from anyone else. Where I might differ, however, is in the level of anxiety I feel when my body lets me down. I don’t like the fact that I am always overwhelmed by all of the stuff I have to do on a daily basis, but I need to know that I can. If I am not able to get up in the morning, go for a run, go to work, and do everything associated with parenting my kids, I get very stressed and anxious, almost afraid. I don’t like the feeling of being physically weak and unable to do things.
So when I suddenly started feeling ill yesterday I was not pleased. What started as a sore throat yesterday afternoon progressed into a full-blown cold by bedtime. The kind of cold that comes complete with aches and pains, and ice-cold chills. I was lying on the couch watching TV with Gerard last night, wearing about four layers and with three blankets piled on top of me. By the time I woke up this morning, my voice was a thing of the past and both of the kids had a cold as well.
I had to stay home today. Not only to be with the kids, but to try and rest a little and shake the cold myself.
The chaos started when James appeared by my side at about 11:00 a.m. telling me that he had made a swimming pool. When I went to investigate I found that there was indeed a swimming pool – right in the middle of my mattress.
An hour later, James told me that he had made a water factory on his Dad’s desk. Against my better judgment, I went to take a look: there were several bowls on the desk, precariously balanced and filled to the brim with water.
Later in the day, the two kids worked in collaboration to empty a dump-truck full of water all over the living room floor.
Dear Lord in heaven…
There was the upended stationery drawer, the melted Popsicle on the bedroom floor, the melted Popsicle on the couch, and the milk spilled in the kitchen.
Is it any wonder I don’t like being sick? Look what happens!
I am exhausted, and mysteriously feeling well enough to go to work tomorrow.
