Sunday, April 12, 2009

Perspective

Gremlin has a cold. A pretty good one. As per his usual, he got a bad, raspy, croupy cough that gets worse at night. Last January, following cold after cold spent listening and comforting my baby helplessly as he awoke crying from coughing because we-don't-give-kids-cough-medicine, we went AMA and gave him some Triaminic - a half dose. It worked like a charm; the coughing slowed, he slept, we slept and there were no adverse side effects. We did this for about three nights (nights only) until the worst of the coughs subsided.

When this bout reared its head, we toughed it out for a night but again went to Triaminic. Friday night, it worked; some coughing but subdued and he could sleep. Saturday night, not so much. He coughed mightily from the time he lay down. We took turns heading into his room when he cried. We took turns going into his room even if he wouldn't cry, just to check. We tried to get honey into him to ease his throat. I slept in his bed, he came into ours. We headed out onto the front porch in the freezing cold with him wrapped in a blanket to lessen the croupies. We even called the pediatrician when he cried that he needed to cough but couldn't. And of course, our frustration got the better of us and we briefly turned on each other.

Nonetheless, at 6:00 am Easter morning, the sun was up and so were my boys, ready for their Easter baskets. Gremlin definitely handled the sleepless night far better than his daddy or I did. We all slept last night (sans drugs) and this morning, my boy felt good enough that he's in preschool, making a fruit salad and learning about Passover.

I know the frustration, fear, pity, sadness, and helplessness I felt watching my baby deal with what is, in reality a blip, a minor cold - he barely had a temperature. And I think of Mike and Heather Spohr, who lost their little girl because her body wasn't strong enough to win her last battle. Friends of my blog friends, who will be attending her funeral tomorrow.

I lost a night's sleep and probably encouraged a few more gray hairs. I can take it. I thank God for making my family strong and healthy. I thank Him for giving me perspective. I pray for Mike and Heather that they will somehow find the strength to put one foot in front of the other. I hope they feel the love that is out here for them.


12 comments:

Kate Coveny Hood said...

We're all sick and I've been thinking the same thing. Perspective is a very precious gift - it can give you back your whole life in an instant. The trick is maintaining that perspective - which we rarely do... Maybe those are the happiest people - the ones who are so aware - at all times - of what is truly important.

rachel... said...

I needed a little perspective today. Thank you.

{sue} said...

So well said. I am just without words these past few days.

merlotmom said...

Couldn't agree more.

Jennifer S said...

Life is more fragile than we can bear to admit, or we'd never get through a day. We're all brokenhearted these days, and this kind of perspective is a gift that I hope we can all hold on to.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

So much sadness lately. There's baby Thalon too. Even though I did not "know" either of the families, your heart cannot help but break.

G said...

After watching my co-worker bury her 4-year-old Granddaughter last week, I can only imagine the horror that the Spohr's are going through. Thanks for helping to put my minute problems in perspective once again.

~Swankymama said...

Perspective. Yes. So important when tragedy hits home and it isn't anything compared to what other people are going through. I'm with you on this one friend.

:o))) hugs and kisses

Jason, as himself said...

You put it very well. Even just a cold or flu can be so trying. If we haven't truly had a very sick child, we just don't even get it.

Reinvent Dad said...

I used to be such a weeny every time I was sick, but now all I can think of when I'm ill is my father who battled, but did eventually succomb to colon cancer 9 years ago. Perspective does determine that which is important and that which is not so much.

anymommy said...

Me too - and I'm glad you're little gremlin is okay.

JCK said...

It is good to take it all in perspective, isn't it. My heart breaks for them.

And I hope your little guy is much better now!

 

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