Poor taste?

I'm aware that it exhibits poor taste to complain too much about life, because no matter what you've got something to be grateful for. But I have to say how hard this week has been.

Dan left on Monday for Puerto Rico and that morning I woke up feeling like a bus hit me. He responded by telling me that it was just a cold and rolling his eyes when I told him how sick I felt. I understand he was busy preparing for a trip and feeling a little sick himself, so he should be forgiven. But after a day of sleeping I found myself sicker than before. Tuesday I was bedridden and my mother came over to take care of the children for me. I was feeling better, sure that the next morning I'd feel fine and it would be all over.

Wednesday I picked up my eldest from preschool and dropped both off at a babysitter while I went to a place I can't talk about because it concerns another person and their story that is not mine to tell. It wasn't anything directly related to me but I felt pain for this person and cried profusely. I came home and picked up my kids. I counted the hours till they went to bed. I was frustrated with them and through a horse voice I yelled at them. Finally when they were in bed I tried to sleep.

This morning at three I woke up with my eyes glued together. My cold/flu or whatever it is transferred to my eyes. Pink eye, that's right. So I called a neighbor to take my kids this morning while I disinfected my bedroom and my children's bedrooms, because of course I'm terrified they'll get it too. Anybody who's ever tried to put eyedrops in toddler's eyes understands my rational fear of them contracting conjunctivitis.

Consequently I realized that instead of picking up toilet paper at the store I got paper towel. We were stuck with one half of a roll left in the whole house. My sister sent her husband over with toilet paper and dinner since shopping was out of the question with eyes full of puss.

The silver lining is that wednesday night I went to bed and prayed that I would be well enough the next day to at least take care of my children. As an addendum I added that if I couldn't be better would He just bless that my kids wouldn't get sick. So I can say with confidence this afternoon that God answers prayers.

I know that one small illness hardly warrants the amount of words I've dedicated to it; but in the course of this week I've been given some lessons that just may be worthy of the brain space it takes to read this article of self pity. I've been humbled and had to ask for help where generally I'm the one who's asked for help. I've also learned that if I want to have a support base to help me when needed I have to work harder at developing friendships. The kind of friendships where you can ask for help without feeling like a heel. In short I need to do more for others.

I've also learned that whether you are close with a person or not, when you are genuinely in need they will come to your aide.

Good Samaritans everywhere, thank you. I'm going to try and be better. Next time I'm asked to help watch someones kids because they are sick, I'm going to be a lot more willing and empathetic.