That guy. I just don’t deserve him…

This is a highly secret post. If word gets out, I will NEVER (ever, ever) hear the end of it. Pinky swear before you begin reading that this stays between us!

We good?

(Okay, here’s one other disclaimer: This month’s “Where Bloggers Live” prompt is “How I take care of myself when I get sick.” I don’t intend to minimize genuine illnesses, because I have–especially lately–heard of FAR too many people, including children, who are ill. Legit illnesses are a nightmare. Even members of this group are among friends who have battled life threatening health issues…and their posts may likely have more serious reflection than this flippant missive. Please know, in my heart, I am aware of the very serious side of fighting illness and mean no disrespect by this post.)

Diving right in…

One of my mom’s frequently repeated mantras is that mothers aren’t allowed to get sick. There’s usually someone in the house who needs help: school is still in session and someone has to make sure projects and homework have to be completed; matching pairs of socks must be located, and people have to be delivered to their destinations.

Even with the occasional cold or virus, any malady I ever had (minus one biggie in my late teens) was mostly navigable. Once I was able to, well, bring up whatever was having trouble staying down, I could drag myself through short tasks as needed and spend the rest of the day reclining.

Okay, I’m sure there were PLENTY of times I was completely down for the count, but revisionist history has rewritten such occasions as martyrdom in service to the family.

From childhood through adulthood, when one of our kiddos was ill, tradition dictated that they were compensated with “Sicky Presents.” I’m not sure how this practice started, but MIster D&D upscaled it considerably over the years.

Originally, it was a collection of the treats you could eat or drink when you were sick, like popsicles/freezie pops, crackers, Jello and the like; later it included a video rental, comic/coloring book, MAD magazine, or an age-appropriate paperback to pass the time; then morphed into the kind of little toys or treats, bubble bath or makeup that could be hastily acquired at the local supermarket. Mister always loved shopping for “Sicky Presents” and enjoyed making the ailing kiddo smile when he came home from work.

Our kids have adopted sicky present rituals, and bad colds are met with deliveries of cough supplies, soup, and little treats. Even having a colonoscopy has come with rewards.

When Mister is sick, I make a grocery run to retrieve of whatever he feels like eating…along with his go-to Alka-Seltzer Cold and Flu. I deliver it dutifully and with sympathy, but somewhat unceremoniously. Not quite, “Hey, Honey, here’s your slop,” but in retrospect, not quite in his league, either.

I was sick sick once this year, back in March, with my very first bout of “the ‘Vid.” (I’m certain that the 2025 mutation was MUCH easier than the 2019 iteration.)

I know there was added care because of all the life things occurring at the time, but if I knew that being sick meant I was going to be treated like royalty, trust me, I would have tried it sooner.

Aside from an uncomfortable first day when I slept for about 24 hours, my bout with Covid landed me in a very comfortable guest room where I binge-watched seasons of both “Shrinking” and “Severence.” Some of our kiddos sent an Edible Arrangement (the dipped apples were DElightful!!!), and my very thoughtful husband brought me artfully arranged trays or baskets filled with (mostly) healthy goodies. Each tray was loaded to the brim and even included flowers (my sicky present).

Mister was exremely attentive (from outside the door, because he didn’t “have time for Covid.” ) Aside from being restricted to the room, it was a wonderful vacation with deliveries of soup and hot food, and those dipped apples. It almost makes me look forward to the next time I have a bug.

On the flip, I have a renewed appreciation for Mister’s attentiveness. Though no one drives me crazier, I was very touched by the care and detail of his deliveries. I also now have a nice roadmap to occasionally give Mister the “Sicky Present” treatment without his having to be sick. Note to self: do that soon!

Do I deserve him? Maybe not. But let’s not tell him that…we don’t want it to go to his head…or jinx it for next time.

_____

Drop in on my blogging pals to see how they navigate being under the weather… (Iris and Leslie will not posting this month, btw.) So kindly visit:

Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Sally at Within a World of My Own
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style

Welcome to “Where Bloggers Live.” It’s kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…Bloggers! 
Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and see inside people’s homes? 
The second Friday of each month is when this group of bloggers link up to share their workspaces, 
homes, towns… or whatever our fearless leader, the fabulous Bettye, proposes.
Make sure you visit everyone to see where the magic happens!