Nothin' Funny

I can usually call upon my sick sarcastic humor to pull me through nearly anything.

When I crashed my car this week I joked about it being a matchbox car. When I feel trapped by the current economic situation I joke about the state of politics. If my house is a mess I make sarcastic fun of the boys who create the disaster.

With my youngest of four into day four of some type of flu I have no sarcasm, no humor. My heart is aching for my little man. This is the one who is so very full of life, always on the move, a constant source of fun comments and adorable reactions.

For the past four days he has not had much to say. Even if he had the energy to exercise his wit and 7-year-old wisdom we would not hear him because he has no voice. A small little squeak is the sound we hear when he tried to talk. Couple this weak voice with very dark circles and big blue eyes and you have a recipe for worry on the part of a Mom.

I have never been one of those over-reactive parents. I understand for the most part how a virus works. I know the doctor will tell me to treat the symptoms, keep him hydrated and have him rest. There are no antibiotics to fight a virus so it is a waiting game.

Last night went well for him. He slept. I say I'm not over-reactive but I am cautious. I have had him sleeping with me and his Dad has been sleeping in his recliner. Last night I volunteered for the sofa to let his Dad get some reasonable sleep but keep an eye on my baby. They both slept. This was good.

The night before I was not so lucky. The fever would not go down, he was restless and miserable. He was sweating and when he did sleep he would wake terrified by something I am told are called Night Terrors. At times he would look at me as if he didn't even know who I was. I won't go into Night Terrors here but suffice it to say they are a terrifying experience for child and parent but for the most part harmless in the long run.

Today I will continue to comfort, treat symptoms and do all of the things a Mother does. The fact is people get sick, kids get sick and we recover but it does not make the journey any easier, no matter how many times you have done it.