Now Go Take Some Cough Syrup and Go To Bed

Well as I write this post, you two girls were up most of the night coughing. Luckily I remember I had some natural honey cough syrup and that seems to help. I had a bad stomach flu that was gone and now it seems to be coming back. Plus we have out-of-town company coming today. So why would I write a post about this?

 

Because you know your mother and when she gets thinking. I spent the middle of the night thinking about when you are grown and gone, with your own home and responsibilities and you are struggling with being sick. I want you to know thank it is okay, no, it is good for you to rest. To only do what you have to do. Let go off all should‘s, let go of all guilt, let go of all obligations that are not totally necessary at the moment.

 

We live in a world where everyone seems to go, go. Never stopping, never resting and from what I can see, getting sick a lot. When you get sick, your body is telling you something. Remember stress is the biggest factor in getting sick. So if you do not feel good, listen to it. Do what feels right. If a big cup of warm tea sounds about right or not eating, but only having fruit smoothies (like how I feel right now) listen, do it.

 

Actually this advice really works for emotion distress as well. We all have times where we feel vulnerable, sensitive, nothing to give. It is important to listen to that, to pull away and recharge. Even a half an hour walk or bath can do the trick. Now I do not mean the kind of pulling away where you wallow in your sorrows. That does nobody and mostly you, no good. Taking time for yourself, to be alone, should be with the goal of feeling whole again, so you can give to those you love better.

 

Taking care of yourself is a way of loving those around you because you cannot fully give, if you are not well. Plus who knows you better then you do? You know yourself the best and quite frankly are the one most invested in your own well being. So you listen to your body, do what you feel you need to do. Rest, take the time to find out what you need and mostly do NOT feel guilty about it. Do not let others guilt you. True friends will respect you and give you the space you need, just like you would do the same for them. So that is what is running around in your mothers head last night (now go sit on the potty, inside joke, for you Tim Hawkins fans) xoxoxoxo

 

 

Comments

[Linda]

No one should feel guilty for taking care of themselves. Hope you are all well soon. Love, Grandma

[Lena]

I hope that all of you will be feeling much better, real soon.

Sometimes, I think about making a box full of wonderful things that are set aside for when I'm feeling the need to take special care of myself. I'd include a wonderful movie, a favorite book, and maybe some handwork. A special tea and teacup. Maybe, a pretty set of ironed pillowcases, and a soft nightgown. You all have long hair, like me, so a pretty hairband, or ribbon for pulling our hair back, is nice, especially if we have a fever.

What would you put into your box? Those are the things that should comfort you a bit, now. Even one or two of those things will help.

What I need to work on, is keeping my freezer full of things that are easy to reheat, and eat during those times when we need rest. Like good soups and casseroles.

It is so important, as your dear mom says, to take good care of yourself, always, but it's good to let others take care of you too. It's hard sometimes, but truly, it is a gift to receive gracefully, as much as it is to give.

Take care,
Lena

[Raeann]

Clarice~
So sorry you and your family are not feeling well! There is just so much of that going around.
I feel the same way ~ that nobody knows our body they way we do ~ not even the drs. Especially when all they want to do is send you home with pills and get out of their hair!
I love Lena's idea of the *special care box* of goodies just for when we are sick. That would (almost) make it worth it! At least it would be a temporary diversion for the hours of laying in the sick bed.
And I need to work on the quick meals, too!
Hope you are feeling well enough for your company! And you all are well soon!
Blessings!

[Gumbo Lily]

Oh, it's no fun being sick and especially a houseful of ill people. Your advice is very good and I agree with you. "Now go sit on the potty," is what my mom always told us kids when we didn't feel good. Isn't that a funny thing to remember?

Get well soon!
Jody

[The Pleasures of Homemaking]

I didn't know the girls were sick too! You give good advice. It's so important to listen to your own body.

I hope you all feel much better soon!

Hugs,

Manuela