Dave has been an amazing help and his line is always: "in sickness and in health". He has been my saving grace. Making soup, keeping things neat and clean (for me this is actually a big focus while I am sick) getting me juice and medicine. What a trooper! As my Nanna would say "che bello."
Thursday I felt okay - not great - just well enough to go to work, after a few blunders and mixed up things I should have clued in that I was indeed not well enough yet. Damn you stubborn gene! That night I ran some errands, ate an actual meal - first in a few days - and got to bed around 11. My dad's voice kept entering my head "you are always in a rush!" Good warning but as usual it fell on deaf ears.
At 2am I woke up suddenly with that unmistakable feeling in my stomach. I took one gravol and for every 40 minutes I felt the same cycle of "oh no I am going to be sick..." and then...nothing. The cycle continued until, from bed, Dave sharply instructed "you are NOT going to work today". I still insisted I was fine but by 6am I gave in and my stubborn gene subsided. I had a bunch of things to do outside of my classroom so in between my lovely retching I composed a to do list, as well as a bag of items needed for the day.
BUT - how to get it there. Ah, there's the rub.
I was in no position to be driving. Dave had a conference call - and by this time he made it known that he too was feeling under the weather. I thought of a few people in my area that I could call and ask to pick up the items but then refrained as I didn't want to be a burden. Now...who would be cray enough to pick these items up and drop them off for me without thinking I am crazy to do this while sick.
One word - mommy.
Yes. If there is one thing my mother is it's selfless. I called her and explained the situation and she immediately offered her help. "No problem! I can come and pick it up and drop it off for you!". Tears filled my eyes - no joke, they actually did. I wish I could say that this is the first time she has done something like this, but then I would be lying.
A while later I was in bed, dozing in and out of a gravol induced coma - I laugh at the label "may cause drowsiness", understatement of the century - when I heard an unmistakable voice below - my own angel with red acrylic nails, and a misplaced hair clip. She greeted Dave and the cat with the same loving voice. I heard her climb the stairs and quietly open the door to say the words she has repeated too many times...
"Hi Bella!"
This scene was all to familiar but in a way very comforting. Always there for the smallest of things without any thought or hesitation.... But more on my mother on Sunday. (Stay tuned!)
The rest of the day was a blur of sleeping, coughing, stuffed nose, upset stomach and more sleeping. I would start to watch a movie and then wake up to credits. Now at almost 10 pm I fid myself wide awake, with some energy and my first reaction is - I should start the laundry - but I breathe, I relax, and instead sit in front of my computer. After all - what is the rush! - see Ba, I do listen to you!
