Sick (cont'd.)

Yesterday I went to the store to buy tissues as my need to blow my nose every one to two minutes had used up all but the last few in the house. I found the aisle where the tissues were kept and to my horror I could not find one box of the really soft kind on the shelf. Darn it! You don't realize what a difference the lotion in those makes until you have a cold (my Mom taught me however NEVER to clean your eyeglasses with this type as they'll leave streaks on the lenses - but I digress). So I begrudgingly put some of the not so soft tissues in my cart.

As I rounded the corner to go pay, there were two women waiting in line speaking Spanish to eachother, and I just happened to glance into their cart. There sat seven, I repeat SEVEN boxes of the good kind of tissues. Seven JUMBO boxes. Should I say something? Does someone really have a right to buy all of the good tissues off the shelf at one time? What about the rest of us with colds? That's it! I don't care if I am a Libra, I'm saying something!

Just then the lady behind the counter called out, "Next" and off they went. Darn it again! I moved my cart up closer behind them as they paid and when they turned to go, one lady caught me eyeing her and smiled at me. Of course I smiled back, but as they made their way out the door I found myself mumbling under my breath, "Bitch!". You know you don't feel good when that happens.

You also know you don't feel good when you're sitting at your son's basketall game smearing chapstick all over your nose and not caring how many people may be looking at you or how gross they think it is, because it's actually helping to relieve the pain (from using the crappy tissues).

I couldn't help but notice when I was in the store how many drugs they now offer for whatever ails you. I've been thinking about the times when I was younger and would get sick. My Mom would rub Vicks Vaporub on my chest, which I always hated, but it made me feel better. My Dad would make me soft boiled eggs and take an ice chipper to our ice cubes to make ice chips for me to suck on (before the days of automatic ice machines in your freezer) and it would make me feel better. I remember the days when my Mom would sleep at the foot of my twin size bed all night long when I was sick just to be there if I woke up and needed something.

When I was twelve I was hospitalized for five days because I was very sick with pnuemonia. On top of that they had been giving me an antibiotic that I was allergic to and I had been vomiting for twelve hours straight. The only thing that helped me to feel better was Mom rubbing my leg for me, and the poor thing must have done it until her arm was ready to fall off.

I think the best cure for what ails you is love. Pure and simple, love. So when you're not feeling well, accept the help of those who want to care for you. If you're alone and don't have that option, take care of yourself the same way you would a loved one...and don't hoard the damn tissues!

xo,
Carrie