The Best Medicine

It’s that time of year again. School. Awanas. Colds. Flu. Allergies. Humidifiers. Soup.

My childhood sicknesses always involved flat 7-Up, homemade chicken and dumplings, and sometimes milk toast for breakfast–a tradition handed down by my mom’s mom.

In my newlywed days, my hubby fussed over me with a mug of hot Campbell’s soup. He even bent the bowl of the spoon for easier recliner-sipping, just as his mom had done for him.

Last fall, when my girls spent three weeks down with influenza, I’d come to the end of the tricks in my bag. I remember wandering kidless around Wal Mart, just breathing deep breaths of therapeutic me-time. Somewhere between stocking up on juice boxes and stuff for homemade popsicles I decided what the kids really needed was Moon Sand.

They still talk about that bright light in the recovery process.

Consider this from Edith Schaeffer:

“When illness hits we should remember that this period of time is part of the whole of life. This is not just a non-time to be shoved aside, but a portion of time that counts. It is part of the well person’s life, as well as part of the sick person’s life. …. There is an importance attached to the use of the whole span of time which means that creativity, imagination, work, appropriate contribution, blending of talents, and pitching in to do whatever needs to be done, applies to periods of sickness as well as periods of health…. We are to recognize that to waste this time is as much a loss as wasting a time we might think of as the height of productivity….”

So hang in there and treasure these times. And if you happen to have a great year of health, drop off a care package to a family who isn’t so blessed. They’ll forever be grateful!