Fa-la-la-la-Lysol: The viruses that (almost) stole Christmas

“Run the bathwater. She’s puking again.” Not quite the way I envisioned our Christmas morning to end. Santa had come, the gifts had been opened. Breakfast consumed. Our toddler just got over a five-day stomach bug of doom four days ago, and I was ready for the Lysol/non-stop laundry days to be over. But once again, she was throwing up. I knew it was probably a new virus, one picked up from one of several family Christmas parties we had attended over the weekend.

After a phone call to my parents, my fears were validated. “Everyone’s got it over here. I’m the only one not sick…yet,” my brother quietly said over the line. Everyone there was sleeping off a night of sickness. We’d all squished into my parent’s living room the evening before, sharing laughter, food and abundant gifts, and apparently, a nasty stomach bug. And despite the (germ-infested) hand we’ve been dealt this season, I haven’t lost hope. After all, there were far more good things that happened that bad. And believe me, there had to have been A LOT of good things because there were SO MANY bad. Oh, so many.

Last Sunday (the 16th), my youngest came down with virus. A nasty, body-wrecking virus. You can read more about here. She was sick for five days, and finally starting holding down food and drink on Friday, the 21st. I think 18 months is one of the worst ages to care for when they’re sick, because they’re too young to understand what’s going on, but mobile enough to make clean-up a nightmare. But, we were grateful she’d gotten better just in time for Christmas. We were quite surprised when it all came back (or up) again this morning. But fortunately, this particular strain has a different personality. She’s not nearly as sick, although it still requires frequent laundry washes and seemingly non-stop sprays with Lysol.

But enough about the bad things. I want to talk about the good things. While I was stressing over being behind on everything (Christmas baking, Christmas cards, Christmas shopping), Christ was giving me a beautiful gift in the middle of the mayhem. Time. My daughter’s illness forced me to sit still, literally, for hours. My preschooler was a blessing, going to fetch the remote, the towel, the phone, whatever mommy needed while holding a shivering, whimpering baby sister. I simply sat with them, for hours and hours and hours. By the end of the week, I was going stir crazy, but I was holding steady. I was somehow able to see the silver lining in it all, and enjoy the benefits of time. We had Curious George marathons, and I actually watched each and every one. That monkey is really funny. I even found myself laughing uncontrollably at one particular episode, much to my preschooler’s chagrin. “Mom, it’s not THAT funny.”

Seeing her baby sister sick brought out a sweet side in my preschooler.
Seeing her baby sister sick brought out a sweet side in my preschooler.

I also had the privilege of holding my daughter while she slept, something that doesn’t happen anymore now that she’s Miss Independent. During one particular couch-time nap session, we woke up with several additional blankets covering us, and nearly every stuffed animal we own tucked around our bodies. As I slowly opened my eyes, my preschooler leaned down and whispered, “I just wanted you to sleep well, so I made you all comfy. Oh, and I put a bow in your hair.” So. Darn. Sweet. These memories I cherish more than any gift I unwrapped, although I received some amazing ones. Gift cards, money, a new vacuum (hallelujah!), a home spa set, socks, chocolates, jeans, body washes and the list goes on and on. I am so blessed. So blessed.

And although the end of our Christmas morning sent us scrambling for old towels, that ever-present Lysol, and a clean bath, the beginning of this Christmas morning was quite magical. Hubby and I woke up about 45 minutes before the kids, and started breakfast. Cinnamon rolls (the canned kind, baby) and bacon along with several cups of coffee. Nat King Cole’s Christmas album (the best, ever) played in the background while we waited. Then, they emerged. Slowly crept down the stairs, almost not believing their eyes. A tree (a really ugly one, but still) all lit up, and gifts around the bottom.

Hopefully, this is what they will remember.
Hopefully, this is what they will remember. (By the way, this was at my parent’s house. Present-palooza!)

One particular gift was so large, Santa couldn’t even wrap it. Instead, it sat under a red blanket, waiting to be revealed. They tore paper. They giggled. They feigned excitement (at the books, which they had me read them over and over later). They had a great Christmas. One that I’m sure they’ll remember for the good times, rather than the bad. Nothing can really ruin Christmas, unless we let it. After all, we’ve all been given a gift in Christ, if we choose to accept.

Don’t get me wrong, though. While this momma is appreciative for what she has, I’ll also appreciate having some much-needed alone time someday soon. I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but it will happen. And when it does, at least I have a soft new bathrobe and a box of chocolates to celebrate the occasion.

 

 

3 responses to “Fa-la-la-la-Lysol: The viruses that (almost) stole Christmas

  1. As always, I enjoyed reading about your Christmas – good & less-than-good! I’m so glad that you were able to find the good, even with your sick, little one. I hope things calm down for all of you, soon! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  2. Out of all the sicknesses that has hit our house I was the one that got the stomach bug. I was laid up all day Sunday. Thankfully I was mostly better by Monday but completely better by Christmas. I would say it was a Christmas miracle. Hopefully it passes through your house as quickly as it did mine.

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