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Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Stomach Virus Blues

Quiet moans and sobs through the night kept me us just on the edge of rest. With no way to comfort her, I felt helpless and exhausted. As a baby, a firm cuddle along with gentle movements always worked. I was her go to. As long as I was around, she felt safe. Now as a teenager, she wants to handle most everything on her own, even this flu. Out of respect, I resist the urge to pull her close, smoothe her hair with my hands and whisper, "Everything will be okay sweetie", because that is no longer comforting to my teenage girl. So I offer her my bed, hand her a towel and listen to her moans; with inaudible assurances and invisible touches. Because that is what she needs from me now.

4 comments:

  1. Aww, poor thing! Being sick stinks-no matter how old you are-but when your kids are sick it's even worse no matter how old!! Think of you all and hope she's better soon!

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  2. What a beautiful piece that captures the contrast in your interaction with your teenage daughter and the power of your presence. I hope she is feeling better.

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  3. Oh, those prickly teenage years. Your bed and your presence were a gift to her. Hope she is feeling better.

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  4. it is so hard to be a mother to a teenage girl, and when she's sick, so much harder. You convey your feelings, your contrast of handling her discomforts as a baby and now as a teenager, so poetically. There is so much emotion and understanding packed into just a few sentences. Lovely.

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