One of the Hard Parts

I remember one time when I was in college and I got sick, I mean REALLY sick! I had the full-out flu! I was an independent young woman, living in an apartment all by myself in my college town, going to school full time taking about 18 hours a semester, and working between 30-40 hours a week at a law office. I could pretty much handle anything. But I got so sick! I missed two weeks of work and school. A secretary at my office did a good job of acting as surrogate mother to me, bringing me food, popcicles, medicine, and magazines.

After a full week or so, I thought I might be getting better. Then I took another turn for the worse. I finally gave in and called home. I talked to my dad and told him how sick I was. He asked if I wanted him to come get me (they only lived 30 miles away), but I told him, "no". Then my mom called me back later after she got home and the moment I heard her voice I burst into tears. She asked if I wanted her to come get me and I immediately cried, "Yes!" (I remember learning later how much that hurt my dad's feelings.) I just needed my mom! She and my sister drove up and picked me up. We had to stop a few times for me to throw up. I threw up all night, and then went to the doctor the next morning. I spent a few more days recuperating at home.

No matter how old you are ... no matter how independent you are ... no matter who offers to help you ... when you are sick, you want your mom.

I talked to Kyndal today, after she had tried to get ahold of me several times yesterday, and she is really sick ... again. She has been sick a lot since she moved. She sounds horrible. She needs rest, a humidifier, some vapor rub, a steady dose of medicines, soup, and juice. And she needs someone to take care of her.

This is one of the really hard parts about her being five hours away. I can't do anything but give her advice when she is sick. I'd give anything to have her here, wrapped up on the couch, making sure she was taking her medicine and getting rest. She's so independent that she might not let me. But, maybe she would. There's nothing better than mom when you're sick.

I am praying for her to get better soon.