In the last three weeks, Steve went to the ER for a kidney stone, Abigail had strep, Abigail went to the ER for suspected pneumonia (it ended up being just an upper respiratory infection), Steve & I both had bronchitis, and Abigail got strep again. 

It’s been a pretty bumpy ride.  I was sicker than I have been in years and years (possibly ever).  For almost a week, I could barely do anything.  And, to top it off, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time.  I missed Gracie’s Daisy Troop pinning, Abigail’s preschool Christmas show (she was still sick, so she missed it, too), and both girls singing in the Christmas program at church.  There was so much I wanted to get done that week and didn’t – little gifts for the girls’ classmates, extra special gifts for their teachers, cookies baked and delivered to friends and neighbors.  We were supposed to leave for Memphis to see my sister and her family on December 17th, but I was still too sick, so we had to postpone our trip until after Christmas.  I wanted to cry but I didn’t have the energy to do even do that.

I pretty much wanted to curl up in my bed and throw myself a pity party.  But, that simply wasn’t possible.  Because, everywhere I turned, I ran headlong into my blessings.  It’s really difficult to feel sorry for yourself when you’re completely wrapped in love by family and friends. 

That week out of commission made me realize exactly how lucky I am.  People called and checked on me constantly. My sister called to check on me multiple times a day.  My mom offered to come over and help take care of the girls.  My friends and co-leaders handled the Daisy pinning ceremony and Steve went to take pictures for me.    My friends picked Gracie up from school and took her to play dates (did you notice that she didn’t get sick?  Her immune system needs to be cloned…she managed to escape everything that was going around at home and at school and at church in December!).  Gracie’s children’s director at church took one look at me when I went to drop her off for the Christmas program and said, “Let me take Abigail, too – you go home and rest!”  and I almost cried because I really didn’t know how I was going to handle taking care of Abigail for the hour before Steve got home (thanks, Ms. Rae – you and Margo saved me that night!).  I got Get Well cards from Abigail and from Gracie and from our dog boarder.  Yeah, you read that right.  We’d taken our sheltie to be boarded for our trip but had to call them and ask if we could reschedule.  Not only were they kind enough to work her in during their busiest week of the year, they made me a card.

I realized, again, how incredibly blessed I am by the man I married.  Steve took care of the girls, getting them to school and dressed and fed.  He managed homework and getting stuff together for Christmas parties.  And, he took care of me in the kindest and most gentle way.  He let me rest and understood when I told him there was no way I could travel in the car for eight hours.  I love him, more than I can ever say in words.

I was finally feeling better by Christmas Eve, but still not completely myself.  We went to church for Christmas Eve services.  We got home and had dinner.  I realized that we hadn’t even made cookies to put out for Santa.  A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.  One of my friends was at the door with a box of homemade cookies.  They were delicious and I’m sure that Santa enjoyed them, too.  See what I mean?  Blessings everywhere.

It was really one of the best Christmases that I can remember.  It’s amazing what happens when you’re forced to slow down and feel the love that’s all around you.

I think I’m back to normal now – I still have a lingering cough, but it gets better each day.  I’m ready for the new year to start….I have so many things I want to do and accomplish in 2011, but, at the top of my list is to truly appreciate my husband, my girls, my family, and my friends!