Dad Bear

Recently our large family has endured a bit of the flu. I say a bit because, I know families who are small in size and suffer for up to a month. It being a short season in our home doesn't make it any less painful. There was a lot of aching, sleeping, changing of bedding and toilet paper purchased. Obscene amounts of Gatorade was consumed as well as salty crackers. Lots of sleep, snoring and drooling and that was just for Jimmy. Kidding, sort of. The worse part for me was having Hezzie as for his Dad Bear. In his weak little voice he asked for him after vomiting for I think was the third time. He was wrapped up on the living room couch in what is probably a queen size comforter. His little chubby cheeked face was more pale than usual. "Gimme Da Bear."


He wrapped his arm around the soft cocoa colored necked and closed his eyes. I think Dad Bear will be his go to guy for times of discomfort. This makes total sense. Dad Bear was given to him by his Grammy. Grammy bought him so Hezzie could have some object of comfort while he was in the hospital.( This reminded me of when I was a kid, my Nana and Papa would buy any kid who was hospitalized an expensive lovely.) He did snuggle and love that bear that first stay.  Every hospital visit and doctor appointment since Dad Bear has gone along. He has been a source of comfort for Hezzie.


As much as I love Dad Bear, it aches my heart when I hear Hezzie as for him. At the same time, I am glad he has that comfort. The way he is, he doesn't much like being comforted by humans.
Love, Momma

"Family" Weekend

Jimmy's rehab facility holds these "family" weekend sessions about twice a month. This month it was sprung upon me and I was a bit agitated as he swore he had told me last week. I missed Friday because, the kids were sick. Saturday, we had a reliable caregiver so we went. It was an all day affair.
Needless to say I went in pretty mad. Mainly because the guy running the sessions was supposed to inform me that this was coming up and never did. I got a bit more frustrated when in front of all these people he said I could have brought my kids when he specifically said that "maybe" the oldest would benefeit...it gets worse. On the phone he said he did not deal with children but, could talk with Jimmy and facilitate something with the kids. Now, I know I was angry when we had that phone call. But, not one call back to see how our family was doing during his treatment. When I brought up there was nothing for the kids he said "Remember our first phone call?...I said you could bring down the kids anytime." I held my tongue because, I was there to learn and get over my anger at Jimmy....and this guy was pissing me off. But, because I was around Jimmy's peers and their families...I bit my tongue so hard I nearly swallowed it, Jimmy swears he'll call him out in private.
What I learned? Oh I learned that communication is key and I already knew that. I learned that things should be laid out and not expected to be known...I already knew that. The communication stuff I knew, and Jimmy needed someone other than myself to tell him that. The guy was anxious because, he did not know what to expect from me. Really, I had no idea what to expect from him.
We had a communication exercise that I loved because, he could not interrupt me or dismiss my feelings. I was honest and laughed abit because, I laugh when I am nervous. I held my tears because, I know he does not like to cry and before I could let certain things off my chest, the counselor cut me short and asked me to end on a positive note...which he did to no other family. I already had intention on ending in on one. If I take the counselor guy out of the equation, it was a great day.

Love
Momma