The Moan of the Mummy

I don't feel like being tough today. As the Mommy, I am expected to handle anything that comes along. And I have. Any plans that are sacrificed are always mine. I've run this house on nothing - and less. I've cleaned up spills and vomit and still been capable of putting lunch on the table. There has always been food in the house. I've done without for the sake of the kids, and I've made holidays out of green sprinkles or construction paper. I've driven to soccer practices and dance classes and zillions of dentist appointments and run countless baths.

Josh came home from work the other night with a fever. Then, during the afternoon, Abbie developed a rash on her torso. I immediately made a doctor's appointment, knowing what I do about strep. All four of us went. Neither of the kids showed symptoms of strep, but Josh has it. (I didn't get checked for anything.) Abbie's rash means she's about to come down with some sort of virus, but chances are slim that it will be strep. So. Now I have two diseases to deal with at once, not to mention that Brother is in the state visiting and how this will complicate that. And just after we all suffered from a stomach virus. Now Poor Sick Josh is too sick to help with anything. He just lies on the couch all day snoring. That is...until we're in bed. Then I hear cheerful footsteps all over. Last night, for instance, he played on the computer all night and ate candy for the trick-or-treaters. The night before, all the movies were scattered over the living room in the morning. Poor thing. How he must suffer.

I wonder how we're going to pay for that doctor visit. I saved up that Christmas money myself. I will weep buckets if I have to give it to the doctor.

So, if you don't mind, why don't you tell me all the news where you are. Tell me some good things that happened this week. Or some bad ones. I promise to be very sympathetic. I just need to not think about my house for a little while. I'd run away to the mall if I could...but I have to do laundry and get ready for Grant's parent-teacher conference.

I must be very selfish if such normal things seem to matter so much. Here's the thing, though: No one is going out of his/her way to make my life happier. If it were even, then I would be perfectly happy putting 90% of all my efforts for others. No, really, I would. I've always been like that. It's in my nature. If you take care of me, I'll take care of you.

But, in general, I think people need to get over it and suck it up. (I will, too. Just tomorrow.) For instance: They are trying to legislate against bullying. I don't care for bullying. I've been bullied. I've been bullied for trying to keep people from bullying someone else. I've been called horrible things. I've had things thrown at me. I've had people follow me around just to make me miserable. The thing is...sometimes I dreamed of moving away, but I never dreamed of killing myself. But would I if the news informed me that it was a normal consequence of bullying? Who knows. I was told to get over it. "Someday you will grow up and be able to live wherever you want - somewhere where they don't live. And by then what they say won't be so important to you, anyway."

I've said before that this planet's most frightening things are other people.

If a child is assaulted, then the assault should be reported as such, the same as any other crime. If a child is taunted, the child should be taught endurance. You can't make the world taunt-free. It's survival of the fittest. Please stop telling kids it is okay not to be fit. You are not preparing them for life as it is. My kids have to learn to live in a paradox: You make sure your behavior is considerate and polite, while at the same time, not expecting consideration or politeness from others, but to appreciate it when you get it.

Oh, I forgot. I don't want to think about my house.

I needed to get bread at the store last night, but forgot. We ran into our neighbors, and it threw me off.

Not much in the news, at least the way I get it. I'm assuming not too much is going on today. We have a red flag weather warning today. Do you know what that is? Risk of wild fires. I'm used to hearing about "Flag" conditions in terms of PT on military bases, so I had to look it up. Today will have high winds and low humidity. If you were thinking of burning your autumn leaves, please refrain. Tomorrow it is supposed to cool off. Perhaps I will make that soup mix.

And now it is time for you to tell me how you are. How are you? I am....fine. We'll make it.