Rochester and viruses

I've never heard of a virus that induces ear infections, yet the health reports from friends and acquaintances are full of them. Andrew had (has?) one (or both, not sure), I have one. Bridget was complaining of ear pain a couple nights ago.

Last week I drove the 3 munchkins to my Uncle and Aunt's place in Rochester, where we met my Mom, so that I could attend a 3-day tutor training practicum for my "job" this upcoming school year. Every person was a trooper, though my mom's and my nights were short and interrupted a lot. By the time I had driven the 4 hours home at the end of the week, I felt like I hadn't slept in days. And the next day I was pretty (sick) miserable.

The week before the Rochester trip, I had been really sick (severe body and head aches, chills, 102+ fever, weak, dizzy, etc) and was recovering over the weekend. I think the short nights and high mothering demand in Rochester gave the virus another foothold, and now I'm coughing and ears are ringing.
And Bridget threw up (thankfully just water) but has been crying and coughing late into the nights now.

With all that said, I'm still so thankful I'm not pregnant, and it's been 9.5 months! This virus won't last forever, either.
There are so many other things to be thankful for...
Beautiful clean air to breathe, nice days
A solid, clean(ish) home with no mortgage
A really comfortable bed... that's calling my name...
Strawberries in the garden, wild strawberries on our land
Flowers growing and blooming
An upcoming visit from my bro and his family
Free sand/gravel for a driveway
Bikes and strollers, car(s!)
Food to eat (even healthy stuff!)
Diers water to drink (the good stuff)

Yet we are reminded often that ALL those wonderful things will pass away, and we are encouraged to calibrate our spiritual compasses daily, for the Word of the Lord lasts forever.

"It's all going to burn." But what we do with all of this stuff will affect our eternities. Do I have a heart of gratitude and contentedness, or am I constantly striving to better my situation or possessions? What have I been working towards? It's a daily struggle. And a question to answer brutally honestly.

We humans are so fickle and easily distracted! Randy and I can both become so task-oriented when we "get into" a project that soon enough, we are short-tempered with the precious children God gave us, and they have quickly become hindrances to OUR GOALS! I even become angry with them when I'm working on something for them, that's taken me enough time that they don't care beans about it and just want my attention!

We have not arrived. But we are getting better at stopping ourselves (or each other) and remembering what really matters in eternity.

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