I don't mean my-usual-sense-of-humour sick, or going-to-force-the-children-to-watch-Saw sick. We're all sick with a cold that's been hangin' around with the twins for a couple of weeks.
Liam got it first, and then both he and Morgan had to get their Chicken Pox immunization, and that lowered their natural ability to fight off the cold.
Finally, after a harrowing week at work, where I was filling in on a different shift, yet still doing my music direction stuff, I got home Friday night - and succumbed to it as well.
Blah.
You know that feeling you get when you sneeze, and it takes every last bit of energy just to complete the friggin' sneeze? ...and that feeling immediately afterward as you're waiting for your eyes to re-focus and you find yourself grunting an "Unh", because it's the only sound you have the energy to make to convey your pain if perhaps anyone might be listening?
That's the current feeling.
Different for the twins, of course. They cry when they feel this kind of pain. Both Liam and Morgan had fevers, but it was more from the shot (for those of you with no kids, the chicken pox shot is one of those damned "live virus" shots which doctors always claim can't hurt you) than the cold. Lots of snot and whining in our house these days. Most I've been around since I gave up my membership at the yacht club.
(That was a lame cold medication-induced attempt at humour. I won't try it again.)
The worst part for me is that this Wed/Thur/Fri, is our annual Radiothon in support of McMaster Children's Hospital. It's three very special, heartwarming, often heartbreaking, emotional rollercoaster days, made even MORE special to me because it's the hospital where they looked after us so well for over five weeks leading up to the birth of Liam and Morgan. "Mac Kids" will always be like an alma mater for the twins, and - because they were born at risk, and are now here, enriching my life - the good people of McMaster refer to them as 'Mac Grads'.
When back there, I look for a lot of people - members of the hospital's foundation, nurses, doctors, who will be in my memory and heart forever - to 'show off' these healthy, beautiful kids, and let them know that I know how lucky I am to have them, and how fortunate this entire community is to have this hospital.
...but I can't go there if I'm this sick. We will be set up at the hospital, and I will be speaking to children at risk, many with compromised immune systems, and I can't take a chance of infecting them with anything, so I will be medicating this thing into submission as quickly as I can, and - if worse comes to worst - wearing a mask, if I have to.
If you get a chance, listen anytime from 6a-7p Eastern from the 21st-23rd at k-litefm.com.
You'll hear some amazing stories, and you'll understand a little more of why I, and many others, consider this hospital a jewel in our backyard.
I'll be on with my friend Aiko between 2pm and 7pm on those days...but anytime you listen, you'll hear some compelling stuff and wonderful stories.
...and now, for something completely different -
Liam and Morgan have new chairs! (their first where they don't have to be strapped in)
They both like Thomas the Tank Engine and The Backyardigans, but when one sits in one chair, the other one will, of course, want to sit in the very same chair. This way, they can at least have the opportunity to enjoy fighting over both.
Morgan figured out how to sit in them very quickly.while Liam tried to figure out how to take them apart.
All of a sudden, Liam's got a look on his face like he's ready to read you a book,while it looks like Morgan is trying to give a whole new meaning to "Reader's Digest"...
Later that same day, they switch places...
...the chairs are readjusted for the 'pose' picture...
...and finally, the chairs return to their original purpose of being climbed upon and thrown around.
Belated Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all. I'm half Irish, yet all I managed to do to celebrate was to wear a green golf shirt for a few hours on Saturday. My Aunt Doreen, (my Dad's sister), who faithfully sent each member of the family a St. Patrick's Day card every year, would be disappointed in my lack of effort, so I give to you two of my favourite Irish sayings to belatedly celebrate the tradition of the shamrock:
"May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live."
- and -
"May you be buried in a casket made from the wood
Of a one hundred year old oak...that I shall plant tomorrow."
