I Am Not a Stomach Flu Mom

There are soccer moms, football moms, drama team moms, choir moms and orchestra moms. But today I want to talk about Stomach Flu Moms.

These are the patient souls who stoically and lovingly stand by when their wee children toss their cookies. They have the right words to say and are never afraid of germs.

I am NOT one of those moms.

Last night Gracie came to our room. She cried out, "Mommy, my tummy hurts," and promptly, almost on cue, threw up on the end of my bed. My first conscious thought happened in the bathroom as she threw up on my foot. "Oh Lord God, let this cup pass from me." My next conscious thought came when I slipped in the throw up and fell on my rump. "Oh my word, my butt is wet." Then began the begging, "Oh Lord, I'll do ANYTHING if you'll just NOT let me get this bug. Anything Lord, I'll be a missionary in Pakistan if you'll just deliver me from the flu." Okay, yes, that is an exaggeration. But I'm pretty sure I would become a curbside preacher, if I had to...

The flu is my worst nightmare. I still battle Post Tramatic Stress Disorder from the time that six of us were sick at the same time. This is never a good thing when there are only two bathrooms. Not only did I have to recover from the flu myself, but I had to do the laundry and mop floors.

I'm thankful that last night, she only threw up once. I'm thankful that my husband cleaned the bed and the carpet. I managed Grace and the bathroom. (If you call refusing to breathe and closing my eyes a good way to, "manage," a vomiting four year old.)

This morning I discovered that my cocker spaniel has dried throw up on her back.

I think I'll be spending a good part of the day disinfecting the house.

Happy Thanksgiving!