My daughter has had a rough few days. For three days, she did not eat. Her shoulder blades are like fragile wings, folded ready for flight. Her legs have changed from coltish to spidery. The vertebrae are spiky down her back. So today, although she has finally ceased ejecting her stomach contents, Laura remains wan and lethargic. She is indecisive - unable to choose what she might attempt to eat, what she'd like to do, where she might lie.
I asked whether she felt able to take a short drive to the local DVD rental store. Laura pondered this, pale-faced and serious.
"Yes, that would be OK. It's not very far to walk from the car."
I pressed her further : "But sweetie, we'd be walking around inside a bit, choosing the DVD. Are you sure you have the energy?"
Laura looked at me steadily. "I could do anything with you to hold my hand."
I realise Laura didn't mean this in a sweeping, generalised sense. She's only five, and I guess she was being quite literal - she could go get a DVD if I helped her along, she could come for a short walk with the dog, if I helped her along...
I prefer to believe that Laura feels nothing is beyond the realms of possibility, if only I will be there with my hand in hers.
17 comments:
Poor Laura, sounds like she has been through quite an ordeal. She knows that if she gets too tired to walk that you will scoop her up and carry her. She is comforted to know that you are always there to lean on. I hope she will be feeling stronger soon.
I'm glad Laura is beginning to feel better. She knows that walking hand in hand with you she is safe.
What a wonderful post about the magic of motherhood.
I only wish all the daughters in the world had a mommy like you, Jelly.
Poor little birdie. I hope she feels much better very soon. Maybe some hugs and chicken soup will make her strength come back a little, followed by a DVD (just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down), and a kiss from mommy and daddy. Pretty soon she will be back to her usual self.
Poor Darling! How wonderfully precious her statement is!
Jelly, My daughter is 36, & she still says that to me!
I am so lucky she is close to me.
So glad you little Laura is on the mend.
Poor little Laura! That does sound like a nasty bug. I remember the total lack of energy that Kylie suffered when she had something similar as a child. Then the doctor prescribed medicine she ended up being allergic to. She was so thin by the end of the ordeal.
I remember that anxiety and sympathize Jelly! Hope you both feel much better soon.
How touching to know the trust your daughter has in you. It makes the heart swell when our children voice that trust.
Jelly,
That enormous trust, and faith just melts your heart.
rel
How wonderful that Laura has said that to you, Jelly. I hope your little one is recuperating quickly now - she'll be full of beans soon!
I hope little Laura will soon be feeling much more like her old self again. That is one of the blessings of childhood in that they usually bounce back so quickly.
I'll bet your heart did all sorts of flip flops at Laura's total trust and conviction that you can achieve anything. That's the sort of faith all children deserve to have in their parents. Sadly, it's not always the case.
I wish you and all of your family a return to good health and fun times very soon.
"I could do anything with you to hold my hand."
Yes, take this in a sweeping lifelong way - you don't get many of those!
What a sweetie. She has you, and what a lucky child she is. Take care, and when she is better, go out with your friends for cake and hot chocolate. You will need it!
Awe- your poor wee lass- hope she gets better soon. hugs from me and Sam (4) this end xx
"I could do anything with you to hold my hand."
That's a statement to store away and treasure.
Jelly, what a beautiful post. I bet when Laura is older she will still feel the same way about you :)
She knows with a child's intuition that you are an exceptional person.
I'm glad she's doing better.
Oh the poor thing. :( She is still at that age where holding her hand brings such comfort. Heck, I think I am still at that age. I hope she starts to feel better soon. At least well enough to have a bowl of ice cream.
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