Saturday, February 23, 2008

Oy, the Guilt

So what does my dear little nursemaid get for her kind 7-year-old ministrations to her sick mama? Yup, you guessed it. Today her aunt and uncle had planned an afternoon of treats to get her out of the house--a trip to the bookstore and then a walk down to Chinatown to hunt Pokemon figurines, sticky rice cakes, buns and bubble tea. Even a subway ride! We never take the subway anymore since we moved to Brooklyn (don't ask me why, I guess I've become provincial) so even that's exciting. When E. began to fuss and cry as the time came for her to leave, I tried to be patient, then I became irritated, then I stopped and felt her forehead. Warm of course. Why am I telling this? I just feel so guilty for making her sick that I have to tell the story. Some story.

Tonight she's shivering in bed with her Pokemon guide and 102 degrees of fun-filled fever. I'm still feeling like complete crap so I can't even remember when I last gave her the Motrin. I'm completely disoriented. A. is sleeping off the beginnings of his flu. I'm telling you, this is scary. I can't remember the last time we were all sick like this. It's sort of apocalyptic. I just keep telling myself, this too shall pass, but there's nothing like a really sick child to awaken certain dark, primal fears...

When I come back from this lovely side trip into Plagueville, I'm resolved to post a cheery post full of glad tidings and optimism. Okay, maybe not.

Boy. Remind me that spring is on the way.

9 comments:

Too Little Time said...

Oh, I am so sorry that you are all sick. Sending health thoughts - karrie

Anonymous said...

Fever and ague! Who will crawl to the well with the dipper for you all?

Get well soon.

XXXOOO

Allison

Leah said...

Allison, we had a mind meld. I was JUST THINKING OF THAT.

xo

Knitting it Out in an Urban Zoo said...

Spring is coming? Really? No, really? Oh I do hope it comes soon.

Unknown said...

LEAH! I came here tonight to check in and find that the 'wee' one has joined the ranks of the 'sickies'! Oh dear! Hmmm...to help remind you that spring is around the corner...I will leave you these *placing a heaping bowl of beautifully dark red cherries on kitchen table*...dear Leah spring is right around the corner! Hang tight...stay snuggly warm and drink lots of fluids! have fun with the Pokeman!
Hugs,
Robyn

Lisa said...

Send everything back to Plagueville ASAP!

I'm so sorry that you and the little one are ill. Please do get better soon! And, yes Virginia, Spring is coming, even though it is mostly already here in TX....

INNER VOICES said...

ouch, when the whole house is sick, its no fun... feel better and remember to open the windows every now and then to flush out the air. even if its its freezing out there. fresh air is grand!

faycat said...

Allison and Leah, I thought the exact same thing. Isn't that the time that she woke up covered in snow because there was a hole in the roof and they were all too sick to notice?

Leah said...

Hi Faycat! the time Laura has to crawl across the floor to get water for Mary is when they all have malaria, in "Little House on the Prairie." I think the time their beds get snowed in is from "The Long Winter." So many hardships that it gets confusing, eh?! But that part about crawling for the water is so memorable. Remember how Laura has to hang onto Jack for support? Somehow I can't imagine Pippin helping E. that way...