We haven’t left our house in a couple days now because there’s been puke, fevers and lots of whining. And I’m probably on the verge of going bat-shit-crazy because I haven’t really had a minute to myself, not even to go to the bathroom, where somebody isn’t announcing to me how they’re feeling or coughing in my face.
And this post isn’t really about complaining, because I know that there are far, far worse things in life. And as I type this, Audrey is climbing on my back (yelling “Hi, BABY!! Hi, BABY!!!”) and Maggie is hovering near by with a tiny Kewpie doll acting like it is pole-vaulting with a ruler off of some fancy bamboo prints that I have. And I really don’t want them tugging on my back or touching the fancy bamboo prints, but all of that outweighs (or doesn’t, I can’t think) me needing to have minute, a minute where I’m not saying compassionate things like:
“Oh, I’m sorry you’re sad….” (even though you’ve told me 49 times you’re sad because I’m not getting the stamps out because I’m still cleaning up after the sand mess that we made out of that fake space sand….)
“I’ll follow you to the bathroom and keep you safe while you pee…..Oh, please go pee. I’m in here, in the bathroom, because you told me that you needed to pee.” (Yes, I love you. Yes, I want to look again under the sink to discover that we need to up our supply of toilet paper, but for-the-love-of-God go pee!!!)
“Oh, Sweetie, I know you’re tired. Let’s find a way to get comfortable.” (Dude. I’m tired. I want you to put blankets on me and read me stories….)
“Oh, no!! I can’t believe______ happened to you. Are you going to be okay? What can I do to help?” (Oh, you want to climb on me. I guess I’m glad that I can be the one that makes you feel safe…..)
Whatever. None of it matters. The puke. The patience. The pressure to wipe every surface clean after the snot seems to be dripping from some noses.
None of that matters.
Because Everything is Perfect.
Not perfect in the way that you’d just love a behind-the-scenes look at things. But perfect in the way that we get to be here.
Even though I kind of want to leave the house.
And take a shower.