A new perspective

So it's been a rough few weeks in our household.  We have been passing a stomach bug around, I was the last one to catch it.  Now I would like to say that I was very gracious, kind, supportive, helpful and had a postive attitude the entire time I was cleaning up after my family.  But I will admit there was at least one or two messes in the middle of the night that I was not exactly grateful as I should have been.  Be grateful in all things, is tough for me when it includes body fluids and 2 am at the same time!

But I mustered through it, and did my best.  Then it happened....I was slicing strawberries one night for a before bedtime snack for everyone, and I never completed the task, I spent the rest of the night very close to a toilet.

An interesting thing happened, my perspective changed.  I was the one scurrying around to help and support everyone, and suddenly I was on the ground!  Here is a picture of my new vantage point.  While my husband was taking the older children to school I put our youngest in the bathtub and laid on the floor right outside the bathroom.  That was all the energy I had, was to snap two pictures with my phone!

Of course my new vantage point showed me that the baseboards need to be cleaned, someone stuck a toothbrush behind the toilet, spiders make webs in corners on the ground not just corners up high and the kids really do know how to play with their toys!  I mean look at that beautiful
mess!

But my new vantage point also came with several positive points.  I was surrounded by wonderful people.  My three year old came and gave me a kiss on the forehead and said "feel better mama"  My husband waited on me hand and foot all day, and everyone pitched in to help when mom was down.

Even in sickness we can cultivate good things.  I saw kindness, support, helpfulness and positive attitude in my family when it was my turn.  This was a great reminder to me that our reactions to every thing in life is seen and often mimicked by our children....lets show them good things and cultivate kindness!