Thursday, December 21, 2006

Sick as a dog...

Yesterday I was sick as a dog. I mean, I could not believe it. Headache, cramping, yucky gastro-intestinal stuff. My whole body hurt. I asked my dear 22 year old son, home from Notre Dame, if he could take over for me. Without even a moan, he got out of bed and proceeded to wake up his four younger siblings, got them moving, making lunches, cut the corned beef which was in the slow cooker for Mary's "Christmas in Ireland" project, which he aslo packed up and delivered to her classroom. He then spent three hours subbing for me in the second grade classroom. (I'm the teacher's aide.) Now that's a dear son.

Today I'm quite a bit better but still limping. Just starting to try to eat some crackers and sipping coke. Dear son said he'd take the girls to school if I wanted him to but I told him I thought I could do that.

These are days when I really have to wonder what the Lord has in mind. I have a ton of Christmas shopping left to do, my house is in shambles, the kids can't find clean clothes (without difficulty), the tree is up but not decorated, My son is in a play that I need to see either tonight or tomorrow night. I really need to grocery shop..... Perhaps the Lord just want s me to fully surrender to him and realize that neither Christmas nor anything else is entirely up to me. This may be a simpler Christmas. Maybe God knew I really needed rest and only a virus would do it. I spent the entire day yesterday in bed. The kids will still have presents. Maybe not as many little fun things as usual, but they will have a few gifts. What is most important is that the love of the Christ Child be in my heart, that I love nurture, and care for my family as best I can.
Real love does not consist of a perfect, clean house and lots of presents.

Advice to myself: It is not all up to you. Ask for help. Big kids can help shop for little kids. Focus on the people you love-- listening, responding, nurturing, supporting, giving all your attention. Don't sweat the details. Allow the joy of the Nativity to embrace your heart. Your children will be as joyful as you are. This doesn't have to be like every other Christmas. It can't be. Grandpa is not here, for one thing. And circumstances have prevented the whole preparation from going smoothly (or even going at all since yesterday.) But Christmas is not all about me. It is about the Incarnation. And the love of God can fill this home and even make it the sweetest Christmas ever. May I have the humility to let it happen.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you're sick...but I love the message you posted. This is oh-so-true. (And it's something I'm struggling with this year with dozens of things left to do in the next few days...)

Bless you & hope you're feeling much better today...

Unknown said...

It seems that everyone in MI is catching that flu, including my family. It makes me wonder if I should not come home for Christmas. Very sad, but I worry that my precious little boy will get sick.

I hope you feel better soon.

Mimi said...

I'm so sorry you are sick. Yuck.

Michelle said...

Get well soon.

Barb Szyszkiewicz said...

I'm sorry you're sick, and hope you recover quickly (and didn't SHARE it....) How wonderful that your older son was able to handle so many things. That is a testament to how he was raised. I think the love of God is already filling your home, from the sound of it.

EC Gefroh said...

Rosemary, so to read how sick you are. Hope and pray you are feeling better soon.

Anonymous said...

Rose, you are blessed with wonderful children!

I'll bet your sickness was a gift from God, making you slow down to appreciate the waiting time of Advent -- and also a gift to your children, to let them serve you.

The play was wonderfully funny, and I do hope you have a chance to see it. I am always amazed at how much Ms K-M does with so little.

Have a joyous and blessed Christmas!

Ruthann

Jean Heimann said...

Rosemary,

I am lifting you up in prayer.

Have a peaceful and joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

God bless you and your family!

Jean

Anonymous said...

Oh, get better quick.. the other day i felt so ill, like i never have ever.. obviously some things going round.
Have a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Maria in the UK
www.inhishands.co.uk

Rosemary said...

Yes, I feel better. Thank you all. It is going around the family though. Two children so far. Thank you, Barb, for your compliments to my son. Ruthann, the same thought occurred to me. I really did need the rest and the emotional break. I did see the play and it was great. Ted did a fabulous job, as usual.
Thank you all for your prayers. May we all stay well now!!