Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

As I’m leaving the gym this morning, the hood of my parka flies off my head. I don’t believe it snowed last night, but it’s starting to blow all the ground cover, making it feel like a blizzard is on its way. Driving home I see piles of snow everywhere. When I pull into my driveway my van still isn’t warm — ugh, happy January 74th!

I might be mistaken, but wasn’t it nice two weeks ago? I remember the sun — it’s a soft yellow, or bright orange … oh, shoot. I’ve already forgotten what the sun looks like! I have these far off memories of playing with Christmas presents outside. My daughter on her scooter and me failing horribly at riding my new skateboard. I think this actually happened, or maybe it was just a dream.

What do people from the Midwest say? “It wouldn’t be so bad, if it wasn’t for that wind.? It’s funny, because it’s true! When the wind takes the temperature from 5 degrees to -25 — I mean, come on. It’s not just the weather, though, that traps us indoors, it’s that everyone is also contagious.

The sickness has been slowly infecting everyone in my home. My son had it, then as he was finally well enough to socialize and play, it came after me. Now it’s got my daughter in its grasp.

Having kids means having a cold in your house for three weeks. In the 10 years that I’ve been a parent, not once has everyone in my household been sick at the same time. If I’m lucky, two of them will coordinate their illnesses. This means three weeks of rearranging work, playdates and wiping down everything in our home.

I’m a coach and the kids I work with are anywhere from 2 to 16 years old. I did the math. I’m working with over 100 different kids each week. I’m not just working with them, I’m touching them. I have to spot them and support them. This means I’m touching hands, feet, armpits, legs, stomachs, arms.

I’ve seen how my son casually wipes his slowly dripping nose on the sleeve of his shirt. I’ve seen the quality of handwashing that takes place by our youth. It’s amazing that my family isn’t sick all the time, actually. It’s amazing that all teachers, coaches, nurses aren’t sick all time. Or maybe they are, and they just tough it out.

My daughter just informed me that her head hurts and that water tastes funny. I’m a grown adult and I’m not sure what to do with that information. I told her to brush her teeth and I’ll probably give her some Tylenol. If this were summer, I’d tell her to go play outside. A few minutes of fresh air and sunshine can make almost anything better. However, if I sent my child outside on a day like today, I’d have Child Protective Services knocking at my door.

Why do I live in a place where the air hurts my face?

Oh yeah, spiders. Giant jumping spiders. I have to remind myself how much I hate spiders every time we get into the last 43 days of January.

I can do this.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.