Kindness Goes A Long Way

We have had a hellish three weeks at our house.

First our little girl got sick with the worst sore throat/cold/cough combo we've ever seen. Of all the illnesses she's had, this is hands down the worst so far. About 5 days later, I got it. I could not believe how excruciating the sore throat was. It hurt to breathe, much less talk and eat. I lost my voice for two days along with the congestion and cough setting in. About another 5 days later, my husband caught it. He missed out on the sore throat portion, thank heavens, but he has the sucky congestion and cough as well.

After three weeks later from the start of this horribleness, we're still not better. Our girl has a double ear infection, I have a sinus infection in all four sinuses and bronchitis, and Cory is showing the same symptoms of bronchitis and probably needs to be seen by someone. Isn't that lovely?

So needless to say, we've been a little antisocial and MIA in a lot of things. It's hard to do much when you feel like death. But hopefully now that we're medicated, we can start to be on the mend. I hope at least. I am so over this!! Enough is enough!

It's funny the different reactions we've gotten from people. Many of the people can be summed up in two groups: the ones who avoid us like we have leprosy or give "helpful tips" and the ones who are just helpful. Half of people who have heard about us assume we have bad immune systems or that we're not clean, or they suggest different ways to keep from getting sick because they think we've been catching different viruses over and over. No, no. It's just one horrible, evil, unrelenting illness that has wiped out our household.

But then there's the ones who don't question, preach, or try to be our doctors (I know people mean well, really), they just help. Several times now I've come home to food and treats on my doorstep from friends and neighbors who were thinking about us and wanted to help out. Every time I've cried knowing I have such amazing, loving, selfless people in my life. Where would I be without them? They set such a good example for me and others around them. And I've never felt so loved in all my life.

I originally wanted to post about home sickness remedies and tricks people try in order to avoid the inevitable crap that is spread during the winter, but as I thought about how crummy this has been for us and how much of a change those kind friends have made in my heart, I decided to post more about how much we can do to help others who are suffering through illnesses or hard times rather than what we can do for ourselves.

As a recipient of kind deeds, not only did the soup, juice, pudding, cookies, and hot chocolate make us feel better physically, but it raised my spirits emotionally as well. I knew I wasn't alone and there was someone who was watching out for us and willing to help. It's such an empowering feeling! It also strengthened my testimony of prayer because on one particular day when I really thought I might die, and I had to go to work and i literally didn't know how I was going to make it through the day alive, I came home to dinner waiting on my porch. I later learned that this sweet person felt very strongly that she needed to help me that day and she listened. I don't know if she will ever know how grateful I was for that and how much of an answer to prayers she was. It was the best blessing to receive.

So, let's take a lesson from this experience and resolve to help others in times of need. It only takes a couple extra minutes to swing by and drop off a meal or a treat and let someone know you love them and are thinking about them and you want to help. Odds are it was an answer to their prayers anyway. I'm grateful for good examples of wonderful friends. I urge you to pass it on! I know I will be.

A little kindness goes a long way.