Illness Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Sometimes it can be easy to take your spouse for granted. My experience is that this happens most often when everything is running smoothly. That’s when I have a tendency to overlook the many benefits of Kerri’s presence, particularly the mundane things of life. When things aren’t going so smoothly, however, I become keenly aware of how glad I am to be on the same team as her.

Like now, for example. When I’ve been sick. I’m on the mend, but Monday I scarcely made it out of bed. Seriously. I was up for about half an hour, and that was probably 28 minutes too many. I spent the rest of the time under the covers enjoying some combination of aches, chills and sweats. Oh joy!

Of course while I was down for the count, the kids were all as healthy and energetic as could be. Samantha was schooling. The boys were variously playing and fighting. The first Brownies meeting of 2008 was coming later that evening. (Cookie sales are just around the corner!) As I lay there, listening to the sounds of daily life wander up the stairwell, I renewed my gratitude for my partner, my teammate in life.

I tried to imagine what it would have been like to not have Kerri yesterday. Three healthy kids, and me nearly immobile. I suppose those are the times when people learn to rely on their support systems, friends and extended family. Kerri got to do that a bit, too. After wrangling all three kids out the door to Brownies, she got a phone call out of the blue from a friend who offered to watch the boys for an hour. Hurray for Aunt Minty!

And thanks, Kerri.

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