Have you ever noticed how Mamas are always the last ones to get sick in the family? There may be those rare instances when germs take down the whole family all at once, but for the most part, it's a domino effect where Mama is the last one standing. The general pattern in our home is that one person comes down with an illness and then each one of us takes our turn being "blessed". One at a time. And Mama is always last. Worn out from caring and worn down from doing.
This domino effect began a week or so ago as one child came down with a cold, passed it on to the other child, who then passed it on to Dad. Now that everyone has all but bounced back to normal, Mama, the last chic standing, is down. No one can seem to remember feeling bad since their energy has returned and they expect life to resume as normal--busy. But Mama can't keep up. The couch is calling her name--"come stretch out just for a few minutes to recharge". But the house, the kids, the hubby, the chores, the homework, the emails, the projects, the kitchen, the calendar; they are all calling Mama's name louder than the couch. And so she presses on. Longingly looking at the couch and what might have been....
Every time this Mama resolves to stop and rest, she hits a detour. "I just need to finish this first." "I need to take care of this and then I can take a break." "I'm almost done and then can relax." Tuesday unfolded just this way. Mama kept pushing forward through her day as the "CRASH AHEAD" warnings got brighter and brighter. She made it until about 4:30pm and then forced herself to sit (still sorting paperwork--but at least off her feet). "Dad is just going to have to make supper when he gets home. I've got nothing left."
Unfortunately, Mama's plan didn't work out. "I'll be home at 5:30pm" turned into 6:00pm the kids are "starving and needing supper". So Mama pulls herself up to begin the supper process. Its going to be a breakfast night. Pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs--Dad can fry up the eggs when he gets home. So Mama and the peeps sit down to eat their pancakes, bacon, and sausage. 6:45pm and Dad is sitting in the driveway finishing his phone call while the egg skillet has been ready for half an hour. Braeden taps on the truck window and Dad walks into the house still talking on the phone. Mama breaks the eggs into the skillet and waits. Dad still talking in another room. Mama finally pleads for Dad to head to the skillet and so the eggs are started....they are served as dessert tonight. Mama, exhausted, heads for the stairs where the bedroom couch is screaming her name. But hubby speaks louder than the couch, "I know I'm late and I am truly sorry. But we really need to talk about something." And so Mama turns away from the calls of the couch and returns to the kitchen. It's now time to switch "hats" as the hubby is distraught and needs to share his day with his wife. No sick day for Mama today. Maybe tomorrow. Nope---schools are closed, daughter has doctor appointment, hubby heads to Richmond on business....
I'm beginning to think there are no sick days built into my Mama contract!
"My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." ~2 Corinthians 12:9
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