Thank God for Puke

My washer and dryer hate me right now.  They have been on the go almost constantly since Wednesday, the day my daycare provider discovered the lice.  Right now my husband is horrified that I’m sharing this with all of you, but frankly it’s a part of life.  Not that it’s a rite of passage, but it’s like ringworm, it makes you feel all gross and stuff but there is not much you can do to stop from getting it.  All I want to do is CLEAN, disinfect, and boil myself in a large vat, but amazingly enough they don’t recommend this treatment (the boiling in a vat that is, cleaning yes, one must clean). 

After the plague of lice (the battle is still on, however the good guys are winning) came the flood of puke.  Two kids, two beds, three or four times being jerked awake in the middle of the night to comfort and clean up.  The washer and dryer continue to run…..but that’s not the point.

I’m feeling exhausted, crabby, and on the verge of a pity party (which by the way never helps, surprising I know) when all of a sudden, “Thank you God for puke,” comes out of my mouth.  Often I’m sarcastic, but this time I wasn’t.  See at that moment God struck me down with some sense and reality.  We have lice and pukers, but we will clean up, heal up, pick nits and in no time this will all just be a story.  My kids are going through normal childhood illnesses, and it’s yucky and frustrating at times, but “This too shall pass,” to quote my mom.

A little boy named Jack came to mind while I uttered my odd prayer to God.  He’s a distant cousin of my husband and the same age as our boy.  And he has pediatric brain cancer.  He’s had brain surgery and chemo and gone through so much more than a 7 year old should.  And he’s been battling this for over a year.   

Jack has amazing parents and family and support system miles deep and wide, but he still faces a major hurdle in his life and uncertainty.  His parents have to watch him get poked with needles and trust doctors to take care of him in surgery.

And it all comes back into perspective: Thank you God that it’s only puke.  Thank you for giving me healthy kids and please bless all those kids like Jack and their families who have so much more to worry about than lice and puking. 

If you want to read more about Jack’s treatment and condition check out his Caring Bridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackhoffman  Their faith and optimism are truly amazing.