Szzzt!
The sound of my own breath wakes me up. I'm gasping.
What happened?
I scan the room and see a shape in the darkness, something small, but nothing moves. The heater hums. The humidifier gurgles. I blink. There's a nightlight in the hall and my door is open. I blink again. My eyes try to focus. The shape is golden at the top, almost glowing. I consider its height.
Katherine.
"Mommy," she whispers, "I'm thirsty."
I sit up, clear my throat. "What," I try to ask, but my voice catches.
"I'm hot, Mommy. I'm thirsty."
I press my hand against her forehead then draw it away. "How are you feeling?"
"Not good."
"Okay. Okay."
What am I supposed to do? I can't think. "Let's get you back to bed, okay?" I ease myself out from under the blankets. Chris coughs and rolls over. He's been up three times already. His chest rattles. "I'll bring you some water."
"I'm still hot," she whispers.
"You have a fever."
I wrap my arm around her and she leans against me. I take a step. Then stop. From down the hall, I hear a whimper.
"What's that," Katherine asks.
"Your sister."
***
Send healing thoughts, you guys. I'll be back when we're better!
So sorry your gang is sick. Sending healthy thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteThanks! We need them! :)
DeleteOh, hon. We just went through that this weekend. (Well, actually, Lilah was perfectly fine - which was even worse for the other four of us!) Speedy recovery, loves!! If you were here, I'd make you chicken soup...
ReplyDeleteWho could forget the oozing eye? I'm glad you guys are feeling better. And if you were making chicken soup, I'd take it!
DeleteYou got 'em, Em! Our household is *just* coming out of the cloud of germs. We've volleyed them back and forth for several weeks -- I hope yours is a quick, uneventful sickness full of movie-watching and soup-eating and pillow-laying goodness!
ReplyDeleteAre you saying you just volleyed these germs to Japan? I take back my earlier I love you. ;)
DeleteI'm glad you guys are feeling better, and I'm taking your words to heart and not stressing the movie problem!
It IS a little bit coincidental how often we share germs trans-continentally...
DeleteYou know, I've noticed that! Next time you write about being sick I'm undoubtedly going to cringe and draw away from the computer...
DeleteOh, healing thoughts to you all! I just read back through a handful of posts and they were so beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteI battle inadequate and anxious some days too, but I imagine someday when you reread these you will think: it was all so beautiful, and it turned out just fine! I think the anxious and inadequate will fade with time, but all the moments you capture will remain sweet.
Get well soon!
Thank you, Katy! I think inadequate and anxious are probably normal from time to time. Plus, I keep reminding myself that I wrote that post pre-awful-illness.
Delete(And just for the record, I think you're pretty amazing.)
oh, dear :(
ReplyDeletesending healing prayers your way...
Thanks, Leslie!
DeleteHugs, hugs, and more hugs, Sweetie. I wish I could bring over chicken soup and get well presents. I remember how Grandma Judy would come to the rescue when you and Brian were sick (or worse, when we were all sick). I just wish so much that I could do that for you. I hope everyone is feeling better. Keep me posted.
ReplyDeleteI wish you could come over with chicken soup and get well presents, too, but only because I want to see you! I felt like you came to the rescue today anyway. Your good advice on the phone helped a lot and the Magic Treehouse books you sent were exactly what we needed. Thanks, Mom! I love you!!
DeleteHow i wish you lived nearby! i would have made nourishing soups and cuddled your girls. Hugs to you all, Emily - constantly in my thoughts, and sending happy healthy thoughts your way. Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteP.S.: I've told God.
Nourishing soups and cuddles sound perfect -- and prayers are always needed.
DeleteThank you for thinking of us, Vidya!
oh yuck. sounds awful. praying for a fast recovery for all of you!
ReplyDeleteThank, Amie!
DeleteSorry to hear that you're all under the weather. Sending get-well wishes to you all. Feel better soon! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosinda! On the plus side, the girls have been napping a lot...that's gotta help, right?
DeleteOh man...that sucks. I'm so sorry. I hope that you all start feeling better soon. There is nothing worse than sick babes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimberly! I'm pretty sure yesterday is going to live in infamy as the day of "Mommy, Will You...??"
DeleteOh, that doesn't sound fun at all! Hope that you all get over your germs quickly!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks!
Deleteoh my....those days are so tough; pull in; read, escape to a warm tub if possible....or hot water steaming from a pan with a towel draped over your head. Spices in your soup; cayenne to chase away the cold demons....
ReplyDeleteLemon to fill your body with sunshine....
Rest......please rest and feel renewed when you return.
xoxo
Joann
That sounds SO nice. I think I feel better just from reading this comment. :)
DeleteOK...Open your door...'little wider please...'cause I'm sendin' a heap of healin' prayers and big old hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry the crud had entered your house. Take care sweetie, I wish I could help.
God bless and snuggle in, grab a warm kiddo, a blankie and warm cozy thoughts.
{{{SIGH}}}
Thanks, Nezzy! Even though we all feel awful, I *have* been enjoying the warm quilts, warm kids, stories and snuggles. I guess that's one advantage!
DeleteSo everyone is sick except for you? Let's hope and pray you stay healthy! Hope your precious family is better soon!
ReplyDeleteWell, everyone *was* sick except for me, but at least now everyone else on the upswing.
DeleteSo sorry. Sending well wishes you way. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby!
DeleteOh no! I hope you all sleep blissfully tonight, and feel well very soon. My five littles have been sick for the last two weeks, just passing their cold back and forth, and today we're finally not feverish. Thank goodness. I hope yours is shorter-lived. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa! I'm sending healing thoughts straight back to you. Being home with five sick kiddos for two weeks sounds like the kind of thing that ought to earn you a medal. Ugh!
DeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteGet better, I am sending you some healing energy. I have been feeling sluggish the past few days but I haven't gotten a full fledged sickness.
Thanks! I hope you can get some rest and stay well. That sluggish feeling is lousy!
Delete