Germs

Herself had a violent, virulent gastrointestinal virus over the past several days. Rarely is she so flattened by an illness. She was touched by the amount of care she received from the family. Unbidden, her Beloved actually worked at home one afternoon so that he could shuttle two of the Offspring to the orthodontist and the dogs to the vet. He also warmed broth and provided crackers for her. Offspring the third made Herself a Biohazard sign and taped it to her bedroom door, and then prepared her a tray of easily-digestible breakfast without being asked. Offspring the first and second soldiered on as well as possible, foraging meals for themselves and for Offspring the third.

She is on the mend now, mercifully. Her Beloved looks quite relieved that Herself is better, and the Offspring have reverted to their usual expectations of Mom Handles Everything. While she would like to forget the distress of the illness as soon as possible, she would like to hold on to those moments when others looked after her for a change. It was a rare and much-welcome comfort.