Stinky Day

Carter came down with a terrible cold while on her basketball retreat. It never fails that she gets sick when she away from. I still remember the saddest call I ever got from her when she had the flu in Taiwan while Russ and I were in Portland. I was helpless to do anything for her being half way around the world but reassure her that she will get better, even though my mother heart just wanted to hug her.

She stayed home today still feeling achy, stuffed up and generally awful. I had to leave her home alone while I went to a meeting to calm a smoldering situation. After dampening the potential firestorm I stopped by the grocery to get some food to cook a real dinner for my family.

When I walked in the door Carter came up from her room still dressed in her sleeping shirt and shorts and said, “I have the worst news.” My heart stopped. Carter is not known for hyperbole so when she says it’s bad my stomach feels as if it has moved into my throat.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, dreading the answer. “One of my camp counselors died.”

“NOOOOOO,” I scream in my head. ‘How much more can happen this year?”

I give my girl a big hug. “I’m so sorry.” We go and sit in the sunroom with a cup of Theraflu for Carter and tea for me. She tells me all about this sweet girl and all the funny things she used to do at camp. My heart is breaking for Carter. I think of is this poor child’s family.

Carter’s camp network is strong. They are group texting to lean on each other. One of her local friends let’s her know he is here for her. She tells me to let his mother know what a good son she raised.

Carter says to me, “This is one stinky day.” That is putting it mildly.

Hug your children. Cherish every minute you have with them. Hopefully these stinky days will be much fewer and farther between them. I can’t protect my child from bad things happening, but I feel better when I am here in person to hug her.