He rarely sleeps in the car. But his temperature is over 100, he’s been sent to the school nurse, and I’ve just picked him up from school. He was at Urgent Care approximately 1 month ago screaming from the pain of an ear infection. He was sent home last week as well for a temperature and congestion. Today, his throat is hurting and he’s nauseous.
I got him home and he went right to sleep in his bed. I tried to make alternate arrangements for my younger son who is released from school at 2. I tried to think of anything and everything to allow my sick kid to sleep. But instead, I had to wake the sick little guy up to go pick up his little brother. He’s warm to the touch, he’s exhausted, he begins to cry. “Why can’t someone else go get him?” he cries. He stops crying and walks to the car. I’m relieved his conscious enough to do this. I’m 8 months pregnant and he’s 70 lbs. I can’t carry him anymore. I bring him a pillow to lay his head on for the 20 minute drive.
I used to be able to call my mom for these types of scenarios. If she couldn’t help, she’d help me figure out a way. She is no longer here. I asked my step dad to be on standby. He had a meeting. Unfortunately, he was unable to make it. My dad doesn’t drive anymore. He can barely see and falls asleep mid-sentence sometimes. My husband works a few cities over, 30-40 minutes via freeway. And he’s swamped all day, every day. I have siblings but they’ve got their own families, problems, scenarios, or they’re not local.
Today was an ugly reminder of the ways in which my life has changed. I no longer have the convenience of a mother. My mother is dead. My back-up plan is non-existent.
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