Sweet Times

Upon hearing that I spent the week caring for 5 children with strept throat and 1 with pneumonia, one would think that, by now, I would be ready to run into the nearest closet to hide.

That's not the case; at all.

This week has been such a blessing to me.

Isn't that strange?

How can that be? How can having 6 VERY ill children be a "blessing"?

It's because of the moments like the one captured in the photo, above.

That's our sweet Mary Helen and her baby brother Ben; namesake of this blog:)

Aren't they dear?

This picture was actually taken LAST week, before everyone fell so ill...but I posted it here because it contains the essence of what I witnessed amongst my children as we all rallied 'round and tried to get everyone back to good health again.

Jake and Laura, 15 and 16, respectively, were "mildly" under the weather, too; but they were well enough that they could still be a HUGE help to me; doling out meds, changing sheets, starting loads of laundry, fixing meals, etc...

Sometimes, family illness has a way of bringing all that is chaotic and busy in life to a screaming HALT.

We had no choice. For two days, I did nothing but hold Benny in my lap, with a fever of 104.7. Next to us and all around me, were "flopped" here and there, the other children...under blankets, rags on their heads, and cups of ice water near enough to "sip" so as not to become dehydrated.

Oh, and, of course, POPSICLES.

At times, everyone's headaches were too severe so that we couldn't watch movies or even read stories. They just needed quiet, stillness, a darkened room, and REST.

Daddy called to let his children know that he had paused in his work day to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for them.

My eldest son called to remind us that he had a day off of work and was available to "run out" to the store, should any of his brothers or sisters need something.

As one or more of the kids began to recover, they would join our "nursing forces" and help tend to whomever was at his/her worst at the time.

Gracie, so loving and devoted to Mary Helen, slept for three nights on the living room floor because Mary couldn't leave the couch, but didn't want to be alone. (I was already in another bed with Ben). Oh, what good care Gracie took of Mary; even though her own head was aching. She laid cool cloths across her sister's forehead. She freshened the water and fluffed her pillows for her.

We had to cancel all appointments and visits on our calendar.

But, that's ok.

In some strange and funny way...we were content.

Does that make sense? Not really, huh?

And yet, it's true.

We were very mindful of the fact that although the kids were ill..so very ill...we knew they would get better soon. They do not suffer from any chronic or terminal illness. Their fevers would subside and we live in a free country where doctors are nearby and medicines are readily available.

As the days wore on, we were able to do a little more.

We watched some educational videos in place of our school lessons.
We read stories.
Jacob made everyone some lemon squares.
We printed out some coloring pages.
We read a chapter in our Geography book.

We cleaned...OH BOY did we clean.

I was wiping doorknobs, soaking Legos, running load after load of laundry, and vacuuming more times a day than I can count.

We opened windows and doors to let the freezing, cold, winter air blow freshness through the house.

Who knew that a week of illness could contain such hidden blessings of "sweet times"?

We loved and prayed each other through it.
We are closer. We are stronger. We are more thankful, now.

Although I'd never say that I'm glad my children were sick...I AM thankful that I am their mother and that God allows me the privilege of caring for them and tending to them when they are ill.

I saw many-a-moment like the one in the image at the top of this post.

Sisters and brothers, loving each other.

FAMILY love.

Sweet times.