Tuesday, February 17, 2009

LESSON LEARNED

Sometimes a little humility is a good thing.
The past three weeks my family has been really sick.
We've had the awful flu.
It leaves you with a terrible cough for weeks.
Everyone has had some form or another of it.
Everyone except for me.
My husband is on his third
respiratory illness this winter.
I keep telling him he needs to eat healthier,
exercise more,
wash his hands often,
and stop drinking soda, etc.
"THAT'S why I'M not sick"
I tell him.
"I NEVER get sick."
I explain, as I'm snuggling with sick children.
(on an hourly basis)
"I NEVER get sick"
(as they're drinking out of my cup, sneezing and coughing on me)
Reminds me of the time when I was in 3rd grade.
My twin brother and I walked home from school
EVERYDAY.
There were usually a few other kids
that took the walk with us.
One day we happened to pass some poison ivy.
One of the kids pointed it out to me.
I had heard about it,
but never experienced it.
He told me that if you touched it,
you would GET it.
I told him that was probably so...
but it wouldn't happen to me
and that I would prove it.
I marched right over to the plant...
and rubbed it ALL over me.
YUP!
I sure did.
All over my face,
my arms,
my legs...
EVERYWHERE.
I think his jaw dropped to the ground
and his eyes looked like they were gonna pop out of his head.
I looked at him after I was done.
"Told you so"
I said as I strutted the rest of the way home.
The next morning?
I woke up unrecognizable.
My face and body were COVERED!
I was humbled.
The next 7 days I endured
the serious consequences of my actions.
I even had to be on steroids from the doctor.
(it was THAT bad)
I learned my lesson.
Today I've learned my lesson again.
I'm sick...really sick.
I have the flu.
Didn't think I would get it.
But I did.
Guess I'm not immune after all.

13 comments:

April said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry- I'd tell you to get some rest, wrap up in a blanket, and have someone make you some warm soup... but alas, you're the mother, and that doesn't always happen:) I'm praying for a speedy quick recovery!

shirlgirl said...

I'm sorry you are sick with the flu. I read something recently about making sure there is plenty of humidity in the house which keeps "bugs" at bay. I have a humidifier in my dining room, water in a bowl on a radiator in my bedroom, a special container that holds water behind my radiator in the dining room and one that hooks onto the front of my radiator in the living room. I usually get bronchitis a couple of times in the winter with a horrible cough. I am blessed this winter--I am free from bronchitis and colds, so it must work. Yesterday I even had the window in the dining room and den for awhile to let in the fresh air. It was wonderful. Hope you feel better soon.

Apes said...

Your poison ivy story made me laugh. Adam is really sensitive to poison ivy. If the wind changes directions he gets it. I, on the other hand, have never gotten poison ivy. I've spent countless hours in the woods and have even walked through the woods with Adam following him step for step...Adam leaves with poison ivy...I have none...I have to say though, as much as I think I am immune to it, I won't be rubbing it all over my body anytime soon : ) Hope you are feeling better soon!

Unknown said...

You've had your bite of the humble pie... now get better! (I hope) Quick!
xo

Jo Jo said...

So sorry it's that bad. At least you're not in the itchy, scratchy, weepy stage of poison ivey. That has to make you feel a little bit better.

ChefTom said...

Get feeling better soon.

Joy said...

Loved the story. Get well soon so you can come see us!

April said...

Hope you're on the Up and Up!
Sorry you've been feeling icky! I hope at least you're not itching!

Swimmingmom said...

Oh no! So sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Sounds like you guys have really had a tough run. Hope everyone else is well enoughto now take care of you!

nanci said...

I'm so sorry that you're sick. Get better real soon!

Anonymous said...

chicken soup and issues from oregon! get well soon : )
the poison ivy tory sound like a painful, but memorable story.

barryblog said...

I hate being sick. Isn't is sad that Mom can't stay on the couch for 5 days and get better??

Rachel Durazzani said...

So sorry you all got hit so bad and that it brought you down too. I am hoping (since I'm so behind in blogging) that now it's all over.