This has been a tough year for sickness in our house. It hit me first, the day after Christmas… full blown flu. Then Jeremy was it’s next victim.
Thankfully the kids were spared and I hoped we would make it to spring without anyone else bearing soaring temperatures. Unfortunately about a month ago, Savannah caught a stomach virus. Poor thing was repeatedly sick for about 7 hours before being able to rest and nibble on dry crackers again. I prepared for the worst. Usually those types of bugs quickly make their way through entire households.
Again, we were relieved when everyone else remained healthy. “Whew,” I thought. “The worst is over. Bring on the warmer weather so we can get outside!”
Then, last week, Savannah started complaining of a sore throat. “But,” she said, “I slept with my fan on last night. That’s probably why.” And I figured she was probably right. Plus the weather has gotten beautiful here, so both kids had been playing outside as much as possible. And in Georgia, that means pollen. Lots and LOTS of pine pollen. Everyone south of the Mason Dixon line will have runny noses and sore throats for the next 60 days. That’s considered “normal” in these parts.
But, no. Wrong yet again. Saturday and Sunday she ran a 102 temperature. She was miserable and congested and sleepy. Monday the cough set in and has apparently made itself at home.
Last night Emery was hugging Jeremy before bed when he noticed his back was warm. “Boy? Are you sick too?”, he asked. “No Dad, I’m fine” was the response. But after taking his temperature we found out that he too was fighting something off. So we medicated him and sent him to bed. Today he’s been laying on the couch exactly where his sister had spent the 3 days prior.
Sickness has a funny way of slowing everybody down. We’ve been going to bed earlier and sleeping later. Snuggling under warm blankets together. There has been a lot more “can I help you’s” and a lot less “get away from me’s”. As much as I don’t like to see my kiddos feeling crummy, it has been a nice opportunity to take care of their needs and spend quality time with them. Maybe in the future we can remember to do these things without actually taking a visit to Sicklyville.
