A few gift ideas – Sickness is part of life – Links!
I’m sure you’re as busy as I am, so we’ll make this quick!
This is the second mitten… if you are keeping track from last week. That’s thrumming by the way — extra warm!
I have nary a decoration up. We did get a tree so as not to miss out, but it’s still in the back of the truck as of this writing. I too am rounding up last-minute gifts, and thought you might be interested in a few I like — see below.
But first:
Auntie CornerThings have gotten weird: it seems like the idea is out there that we should avoid ever getting sick — that somehow, catching a virus, AKA common cold or flu, is a gigantic failure of hygiene and amounts to an assault on other people. It’s like getting the black badge of bad citizenship and people are out there already wearing masks and acting like they are going to die if you come near them.
Some of us lived through the Spanish Flu and the Asian Flu and Swine Flu and all sorts of epidemics [sic] that got no name attached to them. I am fond of recalling a year when the flu caused fully a third of my son’s middle school population to check out.
Did they close things down? No, of course not. Why do I say fond? Because first, this memory is a good bulwark against panic-inducing rhetoric and second, it happened to be the kind of flu where everyone was just a bit feverish and sort of lay there, needing not more than occasional ginger ales, light meals, and stories read to them on the rare occasions they were awake.
It was three weeks of quiet, by the time everyone got it and recovered. It was okay. We made it. I recommend having a good supply of sofas!
It’s not good for immune systems for people to cower. The best defense against sickness is to fortify yourself and your family with healthy food, sleep, and robust exercise, outdoors if possible. Anxiety makes things much worse — self-inflicted anxiety is awful and hard to recover from.
Sickness is a normal part of life — you won’t be able to avoid it, chances are! Know what to do. Be confident and prepared in the usual way that parents always have been. Stay out of the hospital if at all possible, because sick people can get very much more sick there. Did you know that medical care might be (I mean who can trust statistics) the third leading cause of death in the US, according to Johns Hopkins?
Sadly, there are a lot of people bringing their children to the hospital needlessly, because our health care system is in a shambles, as are our families. The best place for a non-acute illness is at home. (Note the word non-acute and learn what acute means — Auntie Leila is not responsible for a lack of common sense!)
Here is my guide to taking common-sense care of a sick person — make sure to read the comments too!
Remember: many good things happen when someone gets a cold or flu. Children have time to read books they might not otherwise have picked up. Mother — if she is not beholden to outside commitments — has the opportunity to show a special kind of love and care. The schedule is suspended, and it’s sometimes a relief; at least we find out that busyness is not all there is to life.
Basically, just know that people have always, do, and will always get sick sometimes! It’s a normal part of life. Yes, even if some people are vulnerable. It’s still how life goes.
Gift Corner
Some gifts that might help with your list! Amazon links are affiliate links as noted — a small amount comes to me at no cost to you! Thank you! Other links are not affiliate ones. Everything is something we like and enjoy.
I think the little tags will make a lovely garland decoration, don’t you?
I love these little handmade “Pips” dolls and the price seems really good to me.
This is now one of my husband’s favorite sweaters.(affi liate link)
Bridget enjoys these embroidery kits so much, and even gave me one, which I am still working on!
Some young ‘uns need their own tool kit, with real tools. (affiliate link)
Kids enjoy this rocker board and it has scope for imaginative play as well. (affiliate link)
I hope this helps! Do leave your best gift ideas in the comments, and if you are so minded, you can use one of my affiliate links to open an Amazon page to purchase.
bits & pieces
The power of touch. I remember reading this story (it’s from 1995) and being struck by how technology can replace important human contact, especially with babies and children and indeed anyone fragile.
The Historian and Vocation with Dr. Christopher J. Lane. Parents are often burdened with anxiety over their child’s future, and a young person can become overwhelmed by the idea of discernment. Historian Christopher Lane offers a good perspective on the topic in this podcast, one which will be calming, I think.
If you are in the greater Boston area, join us in attending the St. John’s Seminary Chapel for Advent Lessons & Carols! (It’s tonight as well, at 7). Come over and say hi!
from the archives
A past gift guide of mine that might be of use — I’m not sure how the links are working, but hopefully you’ll get some ideas!An article I wrote about how Advent can help us live Order and Wonder in the home!
liturgical living
follow us everywhere! share us with your friends!
My book, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life is available from Sophia Press! Also in paperback now! All the thoughts from this blog collected into three volumes, beautifully presented with illustrations from Deirdre, an index in each volume, and ribbons!
My “random thoughts no pictures” blog, Happy Despite Them — receive it by email if you like, or bookmark, so you don’t miss a thing!
My podcast, The Home Truths Society, can be found on the Restoration of Christian Culture website (and you can find it where you listen to such things) — be sure to check out the other offerings there!
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