We had the Flu last week.
Lynn and I were diagnosed Monday, Claire came down with a virus that acted the same way Monday night….And just when we thought we were done Caroline was diagnosed Saturday.
(Boring side note -Claire’s nasal swab tested negative for the flu, and the Dr discussed false negatives with me. I’m pretty convinced that’s what hers was. )
Lynn took a total of 3 hours off work and powered on through farming with a 103 something fever…But would collapse into a feverish shivering heap when he got home. He’s a beast.
I am most decidedly NOT a beast, and couldn’t even sit upright until Thursday. I had to go back to the Dr to get a shot and more meds. (You know…Delicate flower that I am. Ha!)
It was a rough week.
But, in every cloud there is a silver lining.
Do you know that EVERY DAY last week I had kind, generous friends that offered to bring us dinner? Every day.
At least TWICE a day last week I received a text from someone offering to run to the store for us.
Several years ago, I prayed for friends. I asked that I would have people in my life that would help me when I needed help. People that were good.
That prayer has been so abundantly answered…and even in my sick misery I almost cried with happiness every time someone offered. (Probably a little dramatic…But I tend towards drama when I’m sick)
To me, every offer represented an answered prayer.
I was too stubborn and prideful to accept the help. Much like three-year-old Claire, my life motto seems to be “I do it by MYSELF”. It’s ingrained in my being to do it for myself or die trying. No help will be accepted.
(I mean, if I am capable making it to the kitchen and tossing the kids a bag of crackers, a few chips-ahoy and a kool-aid pouch, then I’ve obviously got it under control right?! )
Ironically, I get such a blessing out of doing small, ordinary things to help others. And I love how it brightens others days…But to be honest (selfishly)I really love how my girls light up when they can help someone too. It does my heart good to see them begin to think about others and helping. Maybe I’m keeping that blessing away from my friends and their kids? (That’s a deep thought to ponder another day.)
It’s something I’m working on. There is normal, then there is fiercely independent…and then waaaaayy past fiercely independent there is ME. I need to reign in my reluctance to accept help, and accept the generosity of the friends that I’ve been blessed with.
It’s a lonely island of my own making. And it gets hard sometimes.
And not an island I want my girls to learn to reside on.
So, dear friends – I promise next time I won’t be so stubborn, when I legitimately need help. Which means in the future when I can’t hack it I’m taking you up on your offers when you extend them. (So be careful what you offer. Haha)
I love you guys.
Have a great week.
(Pics from Fridays outing to accompany Lynn to look at some farm machinery. We lounged around in the truck instead of on the couch that day. And Claire…Using a walky-talky in fairy wings. )
Between Three Waters 