Tending the Buds
The stomach flu claimed another victim in our house last night.
When I was in the throes of agony earlier this week, I prayed that Chris and the girls wouldn’t get it. I couldn’t bear the thought of them feeling so miserable. The fever. The dehydration. The sweats. The pain.
And yet it happened. One by one. And it was worse than I even imagined.
Yet, somehow, I feel grateful.
Grateful that I could be the one to place a cool rag on a brow.
To coax sips of ginger ale, to rub a small back through fresh pajamas, to provide the relief of cool, crisp sheets.
Grateful to find a new attitude to bring to the common place illnesses we all suffer through. I’m tempted to complain of my own exhaustion, still awake at 3 a.m. waiting for the next wave, and my aching back from sleeping on a cramped bedroom floor. (Why do we have so many stuffed animals?!)
But I feel thankful that this will pass. Though we haven’t been exempt from pain, we’ve been sheltered from so much: an unborn life lost too soon, a debilitating injury from an accident, a terminal diagnosis that leads to long-suffering.
I’ve learned to be patient, and not worry about the lists of things to do, to take the time to put them aside. I’ve learned to appreciate the opportunity to serve my children and husband, to give them comfort and the hopefully life-long memory that I was there for them when they needed me, to lift their head, to soothe and to nourish them. I’ve learned to pray through it, to cast my fears on Him and trust that He has purpose in even the hardest, least glamorous moments of motherhood.
I’ve learned to find the honor in tending the beautiful buds, that ultimately aren’t mine, but that He’s entrusted to me.
I promise to give it all I’ve got.
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The winners of the NuNaturals stevia giveaway are:
LizP,
Vik, and
Ladies, please email me your mailing addresses to peasandthankyou@hotmail.com and I’ll get your prize packs headed your way!
What a beautiful way to look at motherhood! We are taking care of precious people for God, he knew we could do it, the right person for the job and we should do it with pride and honor and love and tenderness! Yet we are human and everyday won’t be filled with such positive thoughts but if we can stop for a minute and remember that our Father picked us specifically to take care of our family maybe that will be enough to get us through the hard times!
And He equips us to do it, even when we think we can’t. We can, because He can.
You have a great attitude and outlook on what could easily be a frustrating situation. Your beautiful family is so lucky to have you.
I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around. Thanks, Katie.
Oh Mama Pea! I don’t comment very often (or ever?) but I’m a longtime reader and this post touched a chord. I happen to be named Rose and my own Mama calls me Rosebud, or Bud for short. This brought to mind all those time that my mom took care of me. We DO have so much to be grateful for.
<3 Rose
Lulu’s middle name is Rose, for no other reason than we thought it was lovely. Thank you for reading and saying hello.
Oh goodness! She’s destined for lovely things. I’ll say hello more often from now on
I have been reading for years and only commented a few times but this post was beautifully written and I had to comment. We had the stomach flu hit our house hard in December. My precious little girl (almost 3) ended up in the children’s hospital because she could not stop vomiting and was so dehydrated. I had been sick the week before (at 8 months pregnant – not fun!) but it was so much worse watching her and not being able to make it better. We had to cancel our Christmas travel plans and it was very easy to adapt a negative attitude about the whole thing (which I won’t lie, I did have my moments). But when she was at her sickest point in the hospital, all I wished for in this world was to get through it and have her be healthy again. And now that she is better, I try to have more patience, be a better mom and just enjoy every moment I get to spend with her. Everything you said resonated with me so much. There is so much to be thankful for. I hope you and your family are all healthy soon!
I am so sorry you all have been ill, Amy. We went through something similar to you when Lulu was a baby and she was hospitalized as well. I remember feeling so alone, and frankly so cursed. We are the blessed ones, though, that get to leave the hospital with healthy children. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful and that you have a much healthier winter from here on out!
In our weakness, He is made strong!
Indeed!
It takes a special person to be able to acknowledge thankfulness during such an unpleasant time – but I love it! Hope you are all feeling better soon.
I have learned so much in the last few years. Gratitude is a habit, much like healthy eating and exercise, but the pay off is so very great. Thanks for your kind comment.
So sorry to hear they are sick. Over christmas break my youngest had influenza b that kater went into a double ear infection, pink eye, and congested cough!:-( after 10 days of meds she is finally better still real tired. Hope they have speedy recoveries and you can get some sleep! Prayers your way and hugs!
Thanks, Shannon! Here’s hoping healthy days are ahead for us all.
MamaPea, I’m loving your more reflective and personal posts. Your humility, faith, and journey with your God are beautiful!
I appreciate that. He definitely can redeem the messiest and most broken. I’m happy to share.
Simply beautiful; that is all.
Thanks, Lacey.
Beautiful post. It’s really interesting how certain experiences can put things into perspective.
I’m impressed that you were able to find good in such a horrible time. I’ll pray for good health for you and your family in this new year.
Thanks so much, Amber.
I know you know you are very fortunate to be there to take care of your family, and how you write about it is lovely. I wish this family closeness was possible for everyone. I wish my coworkers could be with their family when the kids are sick, instead of calling in the sitter because the boss said no sick time for you today. This is just me wishing.
I agree, it is a privilege that I get to be here to care for my family, and one I do not take for granted.
Praying for health for your family. It gives me a good reminder in those times that we find peace with our roles as mothers and wives. And always to thank The Lord. Thanks for referring the book Thousand Gifts. It has been life changing.
Cathy, I’m so happy to hear that you took something beautiful from the book. I missed your face today.
“..tending to the beautiful buds, that ultimately aren’t mine, but that He has entrusted to me.” So true, so blessed are we. Wishing your family a speedy recovery and you a good nights sleep;)
I have no doubt we will sleep soundly tonight. Thanks, Marion.
Hope you all feel better soon. You amaze me with your positive outlook on everything. You have one gosh darn lucky family friend.
Beautiful post, as usual, and I hope that by the time you are reading this, you and your family are well on the way to feeling MUCH better!!
Not to make light of the flu but it is weird you posted this…last night I told my husband that I secretly wish I could get the flu so I could have a few days off of work. ha ha! I know, it wouldn’t restful and I would be miserable…it’s just my “I’m still 4 years old” logic shining through.
Feel better Peas!!! (oh and squee your book is coming out SOOOOONNNNN!!!!!)
Thanks, Christine. I did have some great quality time with my bed and the TV. If only other household fixtures hadn’t been involved so frequently…
Hope everyone feels better ASAP. Makes me appreciate healthy times all the more.
Eucharisto, mama. You’re doing it. You’re my hero.
I’ll never stop trying, girl.
Beautiful post….thank you. Hope you and your pod of peas get to feeling better soon.
Thanks so much, Connie.
I hope you guys feel better! This flu going around is supposed to be terrible!
Thanks, Emily. We are all much better today.
I hope everyone is starting to mend… I had it over the weekend and was so happy to have my hubby to take care of me. I am sure your family appreciates you being there for them
Hope you are feeling better, sweetie!
Praying you are all on the mend!!!! You are so sweet Sarah! I am sure your family is grateful for you!
We are all well today! Thanks for your care.
I hope you all feel better soon. I am glad you can all take care of each. It took a bad cold after Christmas for my husband and I to just sit and be together.
You sound like you have reached Christ Conciousness Mama
Sending you and yours lots of healing love.
We’ve had a house full of sickies the last week, too. It’s no fun to be sure, but my heart echoes your sentiments. I’m blessed to be a mama and care for these little ones, even on these sad, rough days.
Thank you for this lesson. I’ve printed this and reflect on it often.
Mama Pea, I always leave your blog feeling inspired. Inspired to be a better wife, a better mom, to be more present in life and for my family, to be more willing to give. I really appreciate this post.
I really appreciate YOU! Thank you!