The past two weeks we have dealt with unwelcome bacteria and virus.  Chica was first hit, and spent several days with 102+ degree fevers that kept me close by, even sleeping on the sofa while she slept on the love seat. 

We just haven’t had that much experience with fevers in our home. 

When I picked Chica up from her enrichment class that Wednesday she greeted me tearfully that her head hurt and she was having a hard time catching her breath.  I looked her over, felt her head and asked if the breathing was because she was holding in a cry?

As the afternoon wore on Chica developed the fever and the head ache continued.  Of course by this time it was 5:10 pm, after office hours.  But when I called the Doctor’s Office, they had an immediate opening.  A Gift. The strep test was a quick positive, so off to the pharmacy to pick up the antiboitics that were, of course, in stock.  And paid for by insurance. A Gift. Another Gift.

The next day, while Chica laid on the love seat that is just on the other side of my desk, she listened to a story while the rest of us worked.  On her Red Apple/Shuffle.  A Gift. The House on Pooh Corner, close to us, while the rest of us worked on Math, Science, spelling, Reading. Gift

And just above Chica, on the edge of my desk, beside the pictures, was a bottle of cool water, sometimes flavored with fruit, always refreshed. 

  And at this moment, my breath caught…every 6 hours there is motrin to alternate with Tylenol for the head ache and fever.  Whenever the water bottle is empty, there is fresh cool water to refill it.  And the face of a child 2000 miles south reminds me of the mothers who hold feverish children, with no clean water, no antibiotics, no comforting chicken soup…

and the gratitude swells,
and my heart aches for those mothers, those children, as I hold my feverish child close.

seeing the gifts, #382 – 417

Antibiotics
Doctors available after 5
Cool cloths for rising fever
Humidifiers
Motrin
Tylenol
Cold water
Fever Broke

 

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Joining Amanda.

Soak 2 Cups Oat Grouts in Water overnight

In the morning,

drain the water
measure in 2 C orange juice (or 1C oj 1C water)
and bring to a slow boil. 

While waiting for the oat groats to boil, grate 1 orange, then slice and eat the orange, yum!

After the oat grouts have become soft, add about a cup of frozen blueberries ( or more if you really like them!) and the orange zest.

Let bubble a bit more for a minute or two til the liquid begins to look creamy, then serve.

This serves 4, with plenty for tomorrow!

!

Thank you Harmony Art Mom!

374. Watching God change my covetness for a trinket to a desire for Him instead.

375. The tenderness of my children

376. Warm sunshine through the window.

377. Playing tag with a laughing dog.

378. Another dog playing the part of mother hen, gently herding cats away from the chicks.

379. FUNNY card love from my Beloved.

380. Seeing my sweet girl, curly hair bouncing in the wind, as she swings high.

381. Sleepy girl, snuggled in, listening to Mary Poppins.

All’s Grace from Shaun Groves on Vimeo.

All’s Grace

Words & Music by Shaun Groves
(C)2011 Simplicity Street/ASCAP

You have loved us
You have loved us all
You have loved us all so
We love all

You have blessed us
You have blessed us all
You have blessed us all so
We bless all

Thank you for Christ and cross
Through us tell the wand’ring
Thank you for making peace
Through us love our enemies

You have loved us
You have loved us all
You have loved us all so
We love all

You have given
You have given all
You have given all so
We give all

Thank you for daily bread
Through us fill the empty
Thank you for bodies whole
Through us mend the breaking

All’s grace
All’s grace
All’s grace and grace enough, o
All’s grace
All’s grace

All’s grace and grace enough
For all of us
For all of us

You have loved us
You have loved us all
You have loved us all so
We love all