For the past couple of weeks, I haven’t been feeling my best, but I’ve been ignoring the signs because I do not have time to be sick; so I do the best to pretend nothing is wrong in hopes that sickness will go on its merry way. There is so much I want to accomplish and being sick keeps me from getting things done.

Being a single mom, I truly do not have time for sickness.  I’m the one who needs to always have it together.  I’m the mom, not the child. Even though I have been struggling to breathe the past week or so, I made it to my woman’s book group Friday night.  I absolutely love my book group, as it is one of the highlights of my month.  I thought I could put on enough make up and if my daughter curled my hair for me, I would be able to make an appearance and no one would know I wasn’t feeling well.  It appeared I had succeeded until Malissa, a student I used to advise, walked up to me at the restaurant we were at.  She said she felt I needed something, and she handed me the most beautiful amethyst.  Purple is my favorite color, so I thought that’s why she had brought it to me.  However, she said it actually represented healing and she sensed I needed that.

I started to tear up.  What a thoughtful gesture; however, I never told anyone I wasn’t feeling well. Malissa is one of the kindest souls I know, and I know she will go on to be an amazing fashion designer, so I cherish the moments we have. That was one of the hardest parts when working with college students, they only come into your life for a brief time, but watching them grow into happy, independent adults has always been a blessing. I made the above photo as a thank you to Malissa and her intuitive kindness.

I wish I could say that I have improved, but as I write this, I’m actually waiting for my daughter to come home so I can go to the hospital. Nevertheless, the amethyst has brought me peace of mind.  When I was creating the photograph, I searched up what an amethyst stood for.  Healing was one, but it also stands for power, protection, and wisdom.  Maybe I needed the amethyst to protect me until I wised up and realized I needed medicine to get well. I need to remember that even moms get sick, and that sometimes I need to delegate and say no.  Everything I need to accomplish will still be there tomorrow.  Maybe while I’m recuperating, someone can figure out a way to clone moms, then I can sometimes take a nap without the guilt.

One last note, I made homemade chicken noodle soup in the crock pot this morning, so I have that to look forward to when I get home. Nothing is better for pneumonia than a beautiful amethyst, homemade chicken noodle soup, and hugs from my kids. Also, a little prednisone and a much needed Z-pak wouldn’t hurt either.