The mini and I took at trip back to my home town of Trenton, Michigan. It was truly exhausting. It was a soul filling seven days that I so desperately needed. We saw family and friends, did all kinds of cool adventures but the best part was I got to spend one solid week with my daughter. I work full time and so my time with Ashley is limited. Any extra time with her is such a blessing. It's been hard to "break-up" with her since being home but we've managed.
I've been home for a week and Sunday I knew I was getting sick. Monday I woke up and felt like a mack truck had run over me in my bed while I simultaneously swallowed barbed wire. AWFUL. I got the mini up and to day care, on this day a huge blessing, and headed to the doc. Only to joyously find out I had strep throat...what adult gets strep throat!? I only remember having this as a kid. Ugh! I got my antibiotics and headed home. As I drifted off to sleep I was thinking about dropping my kiddo off at daycare that morning; I actually shed tears because she wouldn't get in her car seat. I felt so awful that I cried like a baby and begged her to please just do as I asked. That night, I laid on the couch half asleep. I didn't give her a bath, read to her or tuck her in. Luckily, her Daddy took over these duties. This experience made me think of all the healthy days I have that I take for granted. For just a minute, I thought about what it would be like to be a parent with cancer or Parkinson's or MS. To have to sit on the side lines and watch your child. To not feel up to or being able to participate in their day to day lives. There would be no trips to Michigan under those circumstances, no Busch Gardens, no swimming in the pool, none of that would happen. I don't get sick too often, but this time, it made me think....Take advantage of being healthy. Take advantage of all the things you are lucky enough to do everyday. Try not to judge yourself so harshly for working full time or folding laundry as Ashley reads a book. I always thought "old people" like my Grandparents said things like "your lucky to have your health". Honestly, they're right.
Thank your lucky stars today if you are healthy. Pray for those who aren't. Take advantage of every opportunity and take care of yourself. You owe it to yourself and those amazing kids you're raising!
