Little girl pads over to me and peers under my hands covering my eyes.
“You crying, mummy? Ho’d on… I det you a ‘leenex.”
I’d just put my mum in a taxi bound for the train station about 30 minutes prior. She had come for a quick pre-Christmas visit. Sadly, when she arrived, we were all falling like dominos into the Pit of Illness we’ll call Flu-fest 2010. Ack.
The whole trip was a last minute thing – she arranged an inexpensive flight from Toronto to Montreal for Sunday, and a discounted fare back home on Wednesday by train. The tickets couldn’t be changed without penalty, so though Oliver has been home with a cough and cold since mid-week, and I was feeling slightly under the weather myself, I had no idea we’d all be feeling this poorly. No need to change plans – we’ll all be fine, I’m sure…
My plans while she was here included trimming the tree, and doing some shopping together. I thought we’d also manage to get to a spa together – my treat, since I hadn’t sent a gift for her birthday (already a month ago) and it’s sometimes what we do to mark both of our birthdays, when we’re in the same city together. I also thought I’d manage to shop for her Christmas present.
None of this was to be.
From the moment she arrived Sunday afternoon (after finding her own way into town from the airport – and with an armload of gifts for us all) she was put to the task of making a pot of soup while I shivered with fever on the couch. And then she made dinner. And then she cleaned up.
Oliver went back to school on Monday, but Madame has been home all this time. Martin raged a fever Sunday night, but had to go to work in the morning. He came home again by 2:30 PM with his ass kicked.
Tuesday we all lay around, still coughing and sweating. By Tuesday evening, my poor mum was coming down with symptoms of her own.
Boring, dark, un-festive, un-fun times at our place. My mum came all the way here and didn’t step outside for a single minute until she put her coat on to leave again. In a taxi, because my husband was in bed, shivering.
And with the parting gift of our lovely cold – the gift that keeps on giving.
My mum is awesome. We hadn’t seen each other since late July, and that trip was about 36 hours in total. I feel like every time we get together, the visit is marred by bad colds or (someone else’s) bad tempers, or it’s just plain too short a visit.
Le sigh. Sometimes it just sucks like that, I guess. Trying not to feel too heartbroken about it though – it was nice to be together, no matter what, right?
Now, I’ll see if I can get this tree decorated so we can just call it Christmas already, and move on.
Bah. Humbug.
(Fret not – I’ll find a way to get my jingle on before next weekend… perhaps once I’m feeling less phlegmy. Ew.)
We’re better every day, Erin – thanks for the good wishes!!
Thanks Ali. I think it’s nearly gone – just in time for Christmas. Joy!!
I think you’re right, Christine… I just regret spreading the germs. Anyway, what’s done is done, right? It was still good to be together.
It DOES suck that all the plans were waylayed though. Gah. We’ll make it up in January or something. 🙂
Oh man, I hope so too, Sara… and I hope your household gets spared! Ack.
I think that Grandma’s secretly love to take care of their Grandbabies & daughters when they’re sick. Or maybe it’s not so secret?
Hope you are all better very, very, soon.
I hope the plague leaves the Grumble house soon, m’lady!
I was gonna say the same as Sara.
Sucks that ALL your plans were waylayed, but she probably loved being your caregiver once again and doing whatever she could to make you comfortable and get you on the mend.
Hope you’re all better soon!
is it possible for your boy to look any cuter!!! I bet your mom secretly loooved looking after you. This winter (that hasn’t yet started) has been the total WORST for sickness. Hope you guys are through the worst of it!!!
It was a bummer, yes. Ack! Anyway, it won’t be the last visit… better next time, I hope. Thanks for your good vibes, lady! 🙂
Oh, what a bummer! That always seems to happen when my mom comes to visit, too. We call it the Grandmother’s Curse. The kids always get sick when she’s here and it’s such a kill-joy.
Hope you all feel well soon!!