My oldest son was just diagnosed with Influenza. I did what all moms do. I took care of him.
I’m not trying to be a martyr or anything. I’m the mom.
I got very sick taking care of him. I ached, I threw up, I cried, I fevered.
Okay. That’s fine. I’m the mom.
Five hours after throwing up I went out to unload the dishwasher just to fill it again.
I had a million red dots scattered all around my eyes. Broken blood vessels from throwing up five hours before.
I’m not trying to be a martyr or anything. I’m just the mom.
I looked around at all of the tainted blankets and un-sanitized doorknobs. Wash and Lysol.
That’s okay. I’m the mom.
I crawled back into bed. Every one of my muscles ached. But who would make dinner? My husband wouldn’t do it.
I dragged myself out of bed once again.
I drove to the grocery store and gimped my way isle to aisle to find something I could make for dinner.
That’s okay. Fine. I’m the mom.
I boiled a chicken on low. They would have chicken noodle soup that evening.
My youngest two came home coughing. I ran to get more Tamiflu.
That’s okay. Fine….just fine. I’m the mom.
I love being Mom. I’m not trying to be a martyr.
But today I just needed to be a human being. Not the mom.
But isn’t this what we signed up for? No matter how sick, how tired, or how fevered; I’m the mom.
My name is Sarah Feldkamp. I have three kids. I teach school and am currently writing a fictional novel entitled the Blue Feathered Robin. Otherwise, my writing portfolio includes unpublished children’s books with illustrations; and one published work entitled I’m the Mom (courtesy of Blunt Moms). As a middle-aged woman who has spent much of my adulthood rearing children and working a traditional job, I have recently decided to take some time for my own dream which is to write. “I’m the mom” will be my first published work; written at a great moment of exasperation and weakness. You can find me on scfeldkamps.
