The gift I would most like to return
For Christmas yesterday, Riley received a set of Magna-Tiles, a pint-sized rocking chair, some sketch pads, a hand-crankable flashlight, an easel, a Carthartt jacket, and . . . a skyrocketing fever, accompanied by a hacking, worrisomely deep-chested cough.By early evening, I was holding his half-sleeping body in my arms-taking guilty pleasure at the rare quiet chance to be needed, and to provide comfort-dipping my hand into a bowl of ice in order to place cool fingers on his raging-hot forehead. It was one of those time when you're starting to get more and more concerned about whether or not the fever will continue to climb, and you begin to map out hospital routes in your head, while all the while praying you don't have to do anything of the kind.
I'm not a spiritual person and I don't really celebrate the Christian meaning of Christmas, exactly, but yesterday I wanted nothing for myself, I only wanted for someone I love. If this holiday has a true meaning for me, it has never been more evident than sitting on a couch with a sick little boy tonight, surrounded by family who shared the worry and were there to help.
I love presents and I love giving presents, but in a heartbeat the tinsel and boxes and wrapping paper can cease to hold meaning, and the things that really matter become so perfectly clear.
Riley seems much better now, he's sleeping and hopefully getting the rest he needs to fight off this cold. In turn, I hope your holiday has been full of joy, love, peace, and good health.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mrs. Who 12-26-2007 @ 11:49AM
I'm sure you already know this, but if the fever and cough continue, he may have croup. My two year old grandson was just diagnosed with it and it can fool you into thinking it is just a bad cold. Hope he is feeling better today!
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claire 12-26-2007 @ 11:51AM
Awww, I'm sorry Riley got sick. At least he got to open his presents first.
My baby boy is sick too, for the first time, on his first Christmas. But he was in good spirits long enough to look cute ripping into his very first wrapped gifts. A few minutes later, though, he was crankily wiping snot across his face and shying from the nasal spray in my hand.
Here's to not having to go to the hospital! I dread that everytime I take Liam's temperature.
Hope Riley feels better.
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Trina 12-26-2007 @ 12:31PM
We were in the exact same boat yesterday with Hannah. I took her temp before bed last night at it was 102.
I hope Riley is feeling better today.
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Shannon 12-26-2007 @ 1:13PM
What is it with kids being sick this year at Christmas? Kylie was sick all day the day before and tried vainly to put on a brave face yesterday, but had a temp before bed last night. Geez!!
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Ann Adams 12-26-2007 @ 4:07PM
Whatever it is, it seems to be making the rounds. My dil and their youngest missed Christmas dinner at my house yesterday. My son brought the other kids. She and the baby (now about six weeks old) woke up sick on Christmas day.
Hope by now your Riley is much better.
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samantha jo campen 12-27-2007 @ 10:38PM
Aw, poor little chicken! Hope he's on the mend and that you're all doing well.
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Jaidnoire 1-07-2008 @ 11:30AM
I think there is something to the kiddies being sick on Christmas...my 3month old came down with a small cough on 12/18 and by Christmas day he was recovering from a low fever and on a nebulizer every 4 hours (RSV). Baby's First Christmas & Baby's First cold - good times....
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