Of Patience and Cherry Popsicles

Moms, Kids and Grandkids, "Oh My!"

My orthopedic surgeon told me my osteoarthritis is at a point where I need two knee replacements. Of course Mind and Ego jumped right in and reminded me of something that’s not easy for me to admit.

When I'm sick, or laid up healing, I'm not a good patient.  I know it's mainly because my patience with being a patient goes right out the window. I’m thinking about what all I should be doing and being unable to do anything.

When I’m sick, I’m stuck sucking down fruit juice, blowing disgusting stuff into tissues, gargling with salt water, and feeling sick and sorry and useless.

I always miss Mama, but when I’m sick is when I miss her most. It's the many caring things she did when any of us were sick. We knew whatever we had would have to run its course, but it was soothing, knowing she was there with us.  As children, we felt she could heal anything with her love.

She would hug us and whisper that we would get better soon, or maybe surprise us with a cherry Popsicle, knowing it would help our sore throats. If we had a stomach virus, she would steady us as we stood over the toilet to be sick, and put a cool washcloth on our foreheads after. Mama was just there, and that always made us feel better.

It wasn't until I had children of my own that I understood. You can't help but be caring when your child is sick. Your heart is filled with Love for them anyway, and when they're sick, you feel they need you even more.

I remember when my youngest daughter, nearly a thousand miles away, was sick and called me.  She and the kids had strep throat. She gave them their antibiotic and a cherry Popsicle and after teeth were brushed, she tucked them in their beds with a couple of bedtime stories and kisses.

Then she added, "Kids are asleep.  I'm feeling really awful and I just need my mom. I called to be with you and to hear your voice, although I really wish it could be a Mom-hug."

I had come full circle and I finally understood. I really did, and that night on the phone, I had a cherry Popsicle ... while I played catch up with my daughter on the phone. 

Of course, with my knees, I’m still going to be an impatient patient, but my Robert has his patience AND the patience the Universe forgot to give me, so I should be just fine … with a few cherry Popsicles on the side.

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018.
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