Natalie loves her some hot chocolate
Our family has been hit hard with illness this winter. Three rounds of stomach flu?! (One of those rounds lasted three weeks - it kept coming back again and again and again) More mysterious week-long fevers than I can count, ear infections, strep...
My kids have never ever been hit so hard, and it's annoying to say the least. It makes me feel like a bad mother, even though it's not like I've suddenly become lazy about things. If anything, we are better about washing our hands and sanitizing hard surfaces than we've ever been. And yet, they still keep getting sick. It's a mystery to me.
But, even though there have been some horrific days - like when Natalie threw up unexpectedly (all over James) at my grandparents' house while we were at a family gathering and we had to quickly make our exit, and then stop for supplies at a store along the way (on a Sunday - what? our ox was so in the mire) because it's a two hour drive home, and then Justin started throwing up, and then Matthew...all.night.long... I'm grateful. No, not grateful that my kids have been so sick, but grateful for the perspective.
You see, last winter, my kids were healthier than they've ever been. As in it's not possible for four little kids to be so well during the winter months kind of healthy. And I can't help but see the miracle in the contrast. Last winter, James didn't have a job. We had no money, no insurance, and were, you know, low in spirit or something. Last winter, we marveled at their health and thought that perhaps it was a tender mercy from a loving Father in Heaven during a very difficult time for us. This winter, we are sure of it.
So, I'm grateful. Grateful for the miracle of health last winter, and the perspective to see it this one. And of course, grateful that this winter we have the money to take our kids to the doctor.
Still, I am looking forward to spring like I never have before :)
