Influenza A and the Great-A Non Parent
Influenza A hit me hard last week and my family is still trying to recover. Even though I went through the whole flu shot routine it was a strain from Australia that got me and wasn’t part of the vaccine I received. This left me in a position I haven’t been in a very long time. I didn’t want to parent. No way, no how! Unfortunately, this was not something anyone was aware of at my house as I thought it was an unwritten but standard rule for anyone that gets the flu – no parenting jobs for however long it took, no questions asked.
This tactic seemed to work pretty well for me for the first day as I binged watched two seasons of Stranger Things, one season of Ozark and one season of Mind Hunter all on Netflix. My family was pretty helpful with 2 high schoolers still at home and a wife that was operating at about 70% of her capacity with what I thought was the tale end of a cold. Even though I had some good helpers, my demeanor however was anything but fatherly. I was barking orders at the boys and texting my wife when I would need something. Never aware that my requests or demands were anything other than those words from a very sick man that needed everyone’s attention.
What happened inside me to all of a sudden think that I am the only person that matters? Why was it ok for me to treat my family like they were there to serve me? Well, I don’t know but I want to take this opportunity to publically apologize for being a Grade A jerk for at least several days during which for them I am sure seemed like at least a week!
As I look back on that flu and the cough that now has set into my lungs for the long haul, it really makes me appreciate just how healthy I have been over the years. I have had some knee issues for sure and the back can go out from time to time, but as I reflect and think about friends and neighbors that I know, I feel very fortunate to have a pretty healthy life. I know people that have daily challenges just getting out of bed each day. I interact daily with kids who are not able to walk on their own and need constant care. I have friends whose emotional baggage from childhood would be too much for most of us to handle. Still they all keep going. Most of them never give any attitude other than that of gratitude so its time for me to change my perspective and remember to never stop parenting. Never stop telling those I love how much I appreciate them and all they do for me. Never stop telling my family I love them.
Speaking of parenting, it is time to turn my attention to my better half. Normally this would be her week to blog but she hasn’t gotten out of bed all day and the way she is looking, I don’t think that is happening any time soon. Time for me to make her some hot tea and get her the much needed meds she needs. Hopefully she will be back on her feet next week but if not I will parent for the both of us! Its the least I can do for what I put her through!
