Illness has been a real problem at the Hive for the last month. First we all had our annual fall sinus to chest cold. At the same time, poor Honey was having severe stomach issues, which we quickly diagnosed to a new lactose intolerance. We had just begun getting her dairy free diet on track with substitutions, which no small issue for the milk & butter girl that she has always been.
She found a nearby farm where we can buy goat's milk, and I've been substituting soy products when cooking. A nice side is that I am feeling a lot better, which is leading me to cut out more and more dairy for myself as well. We've been introducing food source calcium in foods such as pumpkin and other squash, and becoming creative with her favority broccoli.
So it really seemed unfair when she came down with the some flu-like symptoms last week. A trip to the doctor and a nasal swab later, she was diagnosed wtih H1-N1. She spend the weekend in bed, enjoying the luxury of limitless movie watching and sleeping, but her symptoms continued to get worse. We returned to the doctor Monday morning, and a throat swab later, we were told she also has strep throat. Holy Cow!
Now my girl is taking antibiotics and is doing her best to rest and recover. We're filling the week with low-key activities (puzzles, reading) in between lots of chicken soup and soft slippery foods . I am grateful to slow down a while, and just "BE" with her. We've had some great conversations, albeit her end sounds quite froggy. Between her naps, I have been also able to catch up with a few friends via telephone, a luxury I haven't had time for lately.
It was in one of these conversations with a dear friend that I received the unexpected gift. This woman is a wonderful person, HOneygirl's art teacher, and someone who has grown to be a good friend. She herself is dyslexic, and is such a great resource for me as I try to teach Honey. She is also a homeschooling mother, and always has such great insights.
In talking about our children's school year so far, I mentioned that it seems that Honey is not applying herself to her Algebra, and that we have been arguing a bit. She stopped me midstream. "I know your daughter, and I think you have forgotten how hard she works for everything. You are off base, and need to remember just how much her dyslexia effects her learning. "
It was like she shook me by my shoulders to set me straight. Honey has come so far that at times, I tend to think that her learning issues have disappeared. Yet each year, I find myself so rushed for time that I try to press her into my schedule. And then we both get frustrated when it isn't owrking. Sigh!
Thank goodness then, for the gift of a few words that remind me to take the time to teach my child, not according to my schedule, but hers. I may have to reevaluate and limit some of my outside commitments, which would probably be a good thing. We will spend the days of recovery moving into a slower pace, and a more joyful lifestyle will certainly result.