Thanks for giving us a chance to practice the art of giving and taking.
Six years ago, before we had children, I threw up maybe once in the eight years we had been married. I had had maybe one major illness that required antibiotics. Jason was in a similar boat.
Then we brought a baby home.
We do not regret having children. The same Provider who has given us everything else blessed us with them. They've taught us (and continue to teach us) important lessons in selflessness. Among them is the fact that all plans are fluid, dependent upon our family's wellness. We've spent a couple of Easters at home when children ran temperatures and threw up. We've missed a weekend away with friends at a lodge in the beautiful Black Hills when a virus hit an infant in the house. So we know how to work around illness, and we know how to at least attempt to stay healthy while caring for sickies. Thankfully we can engage these lessons now. You, influenza, cannot get us down.
This week you crept into our house and then put on a full-blown assault. In less than 48 hours we had one with full-blown symptoms (and an official diagnosis) and the other two with what looks like a 12-hour version of the stomach flu. We've been puked on and pooped on. We're in the trenches like every other parent of small children during your season, with bleary eyes and chapped hands (setting records for daily hand washes).
Our training last weekend along with just basic household maintenance requires lots of taking of turns, rest, and mindful nutrition. Jason swam a mile plus Friday and then gave me a break for a four-mile run in the afternoon. Saturday sleep trumped exercise. Sunday we once again took turns so we could churn out six and eight miles with friends. We tried to put ourselves to bed much earlier than normal and take purposeful naps when the kids nap or when the other one can watch kids with the hopes of keeping our immune systems strong. Time will tell.
You may hamper our training, influenza, but you will not stop us. You only teach us more about giving and perspective. Training, taking care of kids, and just plain domestic life would not happen if we didn't go in with the philosophy of taking turns and giving for each other. Again, this weekend of each of us just giving what we can and being mindful of asking for what we need is practice for what we'll be experiencing in the heart of training this summer.
Thanks, influenza. You only make us stronger, and you prepare us mentally for what will come. Bring it.
Sincerely,
Two Ambitious Parents
