Children’s Hospital - I’ve been away!

Hello, my dear Readers,

I write to you from the children’s hospital in Vancouver. I have no chipper tips or tricks for you today - just a note from one mommy to another. I know that other moms out there have experienced what I’m going through. My 3 year old has an infection that is being quite stubborn - but not life threatening. The thing with children being sick is that i have to stay with her - or someone does obviously. So right now, my heart aches to send Haley off to her first week of school, and to cuddle my baby Megan.

A distinguishing feature of our trip this time is the bright orange sign on our room - “STRICT ISOLATION”, this means that we’ve been unable to take advantage of all the playrooms and great toys here. I am pulling my hair out to entertain my little munchkin - and ya know, a Mommy is not meant to spend 24 hours per day with a preschooler - that is just simply WRONG! The evil shrew inside me is trying very hard to take over at about 8 PM at night after a long day!

The first day i was here this is what kept running through my head and gave me some comfort:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will. So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with you forever in the next.

Then YESTERDAY- Tuesday - arrived, and there was no more serenity/ prayers to be had. I was a mess. The only thing I had to turn to was my journal, which I haven’t done in ages. But with pen and paper easy to come by - it is a tool that can come with me anywhere. I am thankful for that resource, and knowing how to use it.

Emma is now doing well and responding to antibiotics, and in the light of day, this morning, my sanity has returned. And I know that I can stay here and be THE Mommy for one more day. And that is all I have to worry about - just today!

So, my dear Mommies, we all struggle, and I hope that someone else finds comfort in these words.

Heartfelt thanks,

Multitalentedmommy