Happy Sick Day!

The past couple of weeks here at home have been full of illness and busy-ness and craziness... and FUN!

My healing journey has brought me so far from where I was just a few short years ago. I'm now able to have fun in the midst of sickness.

What?

I've found absolute JOY in spending sick days on the couch with my family. There was a full week this month when we were all too sick to move, so we just cuddled and watched movies and read books and let the dishes pile up to the ceiling. And you know what? Some of those dishes are still there on the counter, waiting to be washed with yellow Joy. I remember the last time things got this bad. I ended up blogging about it back then too.

Today, my nine-year-old is home sick with an ear infection. No school for him. Just antibiotics and lots of rest. He and I don't get too much one-on-one time these days because he's usually too busy being an active kid while I'm busy trying to catch up with him (and his little brother!), so we're both actually happy about sitting here at the coffee table working together. He's doing make-up work from school and I'm blogging. When we're ready for a break, Ghostbusters 1 and 2 are waiting by the DVD player. Good times all around. Time together. That's what counts.

Those dishes? The ones that have been sitting there for over a week? They've been rinsed and stacked and they can wait. They're inanimate objects taking up space on my counter. Whoop-de-doo. My son? The one who's next to me right here, right now? He's growing more and more each day... and I won't always have the chance to bond with him like this, in stillness and contentment. In this moment I have an opportunity to connect with him. That connection can't wait.

How is your day? Your week? Are you giving up something priceless for something temporary? I used to do that almost every single day. I thought cleaning constantly was more important than creating bonds with my children. I gave up a lot of good memories in order to be able to say "all my dishes are clean." It's difficult to find the joy when you're busy keeping up with the Joneses. Keep up with yourself, your family, your joy. Do your personal best. Be the best family member you can be. Be your own version of joyful. You won't be sorry.

Until next time, may you be blessed - and inspired to pass it on!