Gloria tends to a living room full of sick children

Family times have had their unique twists this past week. A combination of fevers, stories, songs, coughing fits and nights with six children in the living room with mom in and out throughout the night. It was not what we would have chosen, but it did end up making some worthwhile memories.

What is more precious than spending time with that feverish child and experiencing the bond of times spent together?

I told God if he keeps me healthy, I’ll keep caring for my little flock. In times of sickness, I am thankful for medicine and pills, yet in some cases such as these, it seems it just has to take its course.

For quite some time, the children have been waiting for colder weather. Now housebound, they watched in wonder as the snow silently covered the ground and still kept coming and coming. “When may we play in the snow?” was the usual question with an edge of worry.

Julia came up with the idea of making maple snow candy. The children were sold on the idea. Even those with a fever could suck on pieces of Julia’s sweet treats.

Since the bird feeder is outside the kitchen window, the children could not watch our feathered friends. I moved a little table onto the front porch and dumped bird feed on it. After a day or so, the birds discovered it, and the children were pleased to be able to watch them flutter and peck.

This may sound a bit far-fetched, but then, sometimes, I go far to fetch ideas of occupying active minds, hands, and feet. I promised them that if they are sick for a week, we’ll do something they’ve never done before; we’ll have a toilet paper un-roll. Their drooping eyes widened a bit as they wondered what that meant.

“We’ll each have a roll of toilet paper to unroll, and every person gets to choose how to do so.”

They were impressed and began counting the days. Well, yes, we hit the mark, and by then, they all felt good enough to participate. We all had fun; there was toilet paper rolling across the floor, sailing through the air, and being wrapped around children. Funny how their personalities came out with how soon the rolls were empty. They begged for more rolls. No, not unless we get sick for another week, and I’m not asking for that!

A few days into the bout of flu, Joshua began feeling a bit left behind as his older siblings absorbed most of my time and attention. He came, wanting to be held. My heart melted, I laid my songbook to the side and pulled him on my lap. There was a sick child stretched out on either side of me on the couch and one on a mattress by my feet.

Later, when I had a chance, I played a game of memory with him, which seemed to fill his love tank, and he was ready to go again. And yes, he did get his turn with the flu then too. Bless his little heart, he has this thing of snuggling up real close to absorb all the closeness he can get when something is bothering him. You can imagine how I treasured those moments of holding him; they are only young once.

There were those times I couldn’t be with each child as quickly as I longed to be, with replacing the cool washcloths for their foreheads or getting electrolytes, water, and supplements to everyone. I explained that while there really is enough love for everyone there is still only one mother. On those days, we missed not having Daddy come in the house in the afternoon after work. My dear mother stopped in daily and others pitched in and made a difference by dropping off food or helping with the children while I caught my breath and sometimes a nap.

Chore time was also a way to get some fresh air. Stomping through nine inches of snow made it more time-consuming, but the reward was well worth it to know the animals were all safe and cared for in this cold snap. And guess what, I am not taking Austin’s help with the chores for granted, now that he’s on the run again!

As we tried to nurse everyone back to health, our hearts were drawn to Grandma, Daniel’s mom, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, which has spread to the liver. It was not something we expected, nonetheless we know it is in God’s hands. As we lounged around the living room we had discussions about life, death, and what God has created us for in the first place.

There was only one place to go with the shocking news- to the Father who took us through the last years. And you know, his Father heart keeps pouring out to us as we are real with the situation at hand. Grandma plans to pursue treatment as we all join hands in prayer for God to work his work and bring healing according to his will.

Daniel’s dad, who was in the hospital with Mom, called one evening and asked to have it on speaker so he could sing for the sick children. My heart was touched as I thought of his wife’s cancer diagnoses and listened as he sang, “…there’s nothing my God cannot do for Julia, Austin, Hosanna, Jesse, Elijah, Joshua.” A little snicker was heard from Hosanna’s corner, it was the first of sounds that were heard from this talkative lass, for a good while.

I wish you all a happy and healthy year to come, and remember, God’s got this!

I’ll be sharing a recipe given by a dear friend of mine who offered that I could pass it on to you. Enjoy!

AMISH BEEF & NOODLE CASSEROLE

1 pound beef chunks

1 onion medium chopped

1 can tomato soup diluted

1 pound egg noodles

1 can cream of mushroom soup undiluted

1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Sauté chopped onion in olive oil. Add beef. Cook well. Add tomato soup.

Cook egg noodles according to directions on package. Drain well. Add cream of mushroom soup.

Grease casserole dish. Place ½ of beef mixture in bottom of casserole. Add half of noodle mixture.

Put remaining beef on top of noodles. Add remaining noodles. If desired, sprinkle paprika lightly over top of noodles.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

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