Mama's Penicillin

When I was growing up, I don't remember being sick often. I had chicken pox, like all other kids, and I had an occasional cold. But when I was sick, the greatest comfort was - and still is - my pillow, my bed, and a bowl of homemade chicken soup. Clearly, I have passed this tradition on to my kids. And I mean literally; they want MY bed, MY pillow and the first thing they ask for when they're not feeling well is homemade chicken soup. I tried canned soup on Gracie recently and she said, "I'm not putting that stuff anywhere near my mouth." Yes, I've spoiled them all!

This same child has been glued to my hips since my surgery in the fall. Spending so much time away from her had a big impact on her, and she's still trying to make up for it. Mama this, and mama that all day long. She needs me for everything. She needs the normal things, like listening to her read, sharing every detail of her day, sharing the mood of her teacher and how it either made or ruined her day, watching her practice her dance (which she does several hours a day). But she also needs me to help her choose the best Barbie outfit, the right hair ribbon, watch her favorite Disney show with her - you name it, she needs me for it. With a fulltime job, mothering three kids, volunteering at church with youth group and the music ministry, and cooking homemade meals almost daily, there are some days that I just don't have the energy to accomodate some of her requests. But some days - like today - I pause. I think about my oldest son, who is in high school and doesn't think he needs me for anything. And I am glad that she thinks she needs me, even for the littlest thing. Whenever I hear, "Mama, can you make me some homemade chicken soup?", aka Mama's Penicillin, I feel like I must be doing something right. She says it makes her feel better instantly, and having a steady flow of it for a few days assures her that all will soon be well.

Gracie about to dig in to her soup, with pink cheeks and trying to smile

For the past several months, both Ben and Gracie have struggled with asthma. Ben's coughing fits are now under control, but only with a battery of daily treatments after five months of trial and error. His triggers are exercise, dust and cockroaches. Cockroaches? Ack! I didn't know they even tested specifically for that critter. Ben tells me he's seen lots of them at school, which could be why he didn't start hacking until school started back up. His carpet was removed from his bedroom last year and we keep his room very clean (well, for a 13 year old). Gracie's triggers include exercise, dust and dogs. She dances several hours a day and we'll be replacing her carpet at the end of this month with a laminate, but dogs? She is devastated by the thought of not being near Ziggy. For now, I'm weaning her off of having him in her bedroom. We are now on our third regimen to try to find the right combination of medicine, but I have a feeling allergy shots are the next step. This poor little thing cannot stop coughing, and she's picked up a nasty cold which only exacerbates the coughing. She missed yet another day of school today and will miss school again on Monday so she can see the pulmonary specialist. She has several coughing fits each hour and it's exhausting for her. I keep waiting for the day when we can go a week without visiting a doctor (or two or three). Until then, Mama's Penicillin will be making regular, repeated appearances!