So, we missed Thanksgiving this year. No turkey. No stuffing. No gravy or green beans. Not even a sliver of pumpkin pie crossed these lips. Instead of gaining the obligatory five pounds, we lost it. Self-imposed diet? Nay. The culprit was, instead, the flu. Yes, it struck Kulia, moved to Leina, overtook myself and claimed Kevin as its final victim. We are only now emerging from its deathlike grip. The girls are pretty much back and I’m beginning to feel human once again.

Now, long, long ago in a clueless galaxy far far away, I was once childless. During this time, I felt very confident about what I would do as a mother some day. I had all kinds of ridiculous ideas about children. Most of my baseless proclimations have fallen to the wayside now that I have my own kids but one has held true.

I refuse to take my children out when they are sick.

I remember strolling through the a department store years ago and coming upon a frazzled mom and a clearly sick kid. Glassy eyes, runny nose, cough and general misery. After shooting the mom a stink eye, I’d move on quickly while trying to hold my breath and muttering to myself. “Why would a mom do that?” I’d wonder. The kid is clearly sick, crying and miserable. Why are you out shopping? It just didn’t make sense and it still doesn’t to me. When my kids are sick, we hunker down, and tough it out at home. They are spewing grem-laden coughs and wiping their noses with their hands. The last thing I want to do is take them out and infect others.

But this last week I came very very close to breaking my resolve. Today is day 8 of our self-imposed isolation. Yes, that’s right. I have not left the house in 8 days. Being stuck with a sick 3 yr old and a sick 1 yr old in the same house for over a week is hard. Oh is it hard. Add in your own sickness and it’s pure misery. I’d love nothing more then to pack them into the car and head to Target so we can wander the aisles for a little distraction. And if there were someway to encase us in a bubble that filtered out all germs, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Alas, such technology does not yet exisit. Until then, I will remain here, up to my ankles in used kleenex and empty baby Tylenol bottles.

But oh, what I wouldn’t give for a slice of pumpkin pie!