by Ellie on November 30, 2009
Why hello! Come on in. Not too close though and no hugging.
That’ll do fine. Wouldn’t want to share any germs we’re harbouring.
The Lurgy seems to have descended on our household. Not a flu of the swine variety, more of a fever inducing, asthma exacerbating, coughy, vomity, dizzy, virus. Pyjamas and duvets are the compulsory attire of the day.
Big E ’s inhaler is a permanent fixture and steroids have been added into the mix; Oh the fun! Little E is a festival of feverish snot and I’ve come over all dizzy and sleepy (shocking, I know).
Time has been whiled away watching Disney Pixar’s back catalogue on a loop interspersed with playing Extreme Marble Madness and napping.
Luckily the husband has not yet succumbed. If he does we’re doomed I tell you. Imagine all this and a husband with the dreaded Man Flu. Doesn’t bear thinking about, right? Plus who would fetch the medicine and ice cream in our hour of need were he to be struck down too? Shudder.
I shall go now and snuggle ‘neath the duvet once more before the snot propelled puke fest continues.
I bid you good morrow dear reader.
Aren’t you glad you popped by?
by Ellie on November 28, 2009
Pride.
Sometimes it can be a great thing. Recognising your own achievements and those of others is something everyone should do.
Sometimes it can be destructive and and hold you back. Especially when that pride is stopping you asking for help.
My pride has been holding me back. I don’t like to ask for help. I’ll muddle along and tell you I’m fine ’til I’m blue in the face.
Where does this attitude get me? Nowhere.
Nowhere other than wading through life protesting that I can ‘do this’ all by myself.
This week all that had to stop. We had the choice of digging ourselves further into a pit or swallowing our pride and speaking up. So, we took a deep breath and told our family we couldn’t afford to buy them Christmas presents, hell, we can barely afford to buy food, fuel and clothing.
For a long time we’d been too proud to admit it, too stubborn to speak up but when all avenues had been exhausted we had to admit that we couldn’t do this alone anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, there are no secret millionaires in the family and no magic wands to be waved. But, just by speaking up the burden has been eased. They were not in the slightest bit bothered to not be receiving gifts from us. They were more concerned for our wellbeing.
My Dad and brother have offered to buy all the food we need for Christmas day, which is a weight lifted off our shoulders. And, out of the blue, without prompting or knowledge others, even virtual strangers who couldn’t possibly know our circumstances have helped us out in small ways that mean a lot to us.
It’s times like these that my faith in the human race is restored and for this I am thankful.
It’s never easy to admit that you’re not invincible. That this image you convey isn’t bullet proof. But sometimes, for the sake of your sanity, you have to let the guard down, swallow that bitter pill and allow those who want to be there for you, whatever your circumstances, do just that.
Turns out it wasn’t the bitterest pill after all.
Image courtesy of SXC
Why hello! Come on in. Not too close though and no hugging.
