Last week was a long week starting with the weekend.  Both Liam and Ben were sick.  I don’t mean just a little fever sick, I mean hacking their brains out coughing through the night sick.  It was rough and of course my main focus was to take care of them with soup, fluids, “Empower Pro protein”, cough medicine, Tylenol…most importantly-cuddle time and extra love.

My focus immediately went from me to them without thinking and I spent a night laying on the floor next to Liam’s bed per his request.  I couldn’t say no when he got down from his bed and placed a dolphin pillow pet under my head and his dragon blanket over me…proudly making sure it covered my feet.  Of course I would stay by his side when he is sick-that is what mothers do.  Yet I also knew I had to do all I could to stay healthy so I could continue to take care of them.

I felt proud of myself for making it through without getting to the “cough monster taking over me”  I managed to get through the week with only a slight sore throat and a tired body-that is SO COOL.  I realized that the foundation I have built of health and wellness by eating right with quality nutrition, keeping my body strong with training, and getting enough sleep as much as I can paid off.  I was able to care for two of the most important people of my life and not get sick myself.

Of course Liam reminded me one morning when they were both coughing a lot that I should “put on my mask” –I was very proud.  Liam knows when he is sick there are times I put on the “funny blue mask” to be able to be full time, full on Mommy-NOTHING will ever stop me from taking care of my son when he is sick and if that means wearing an uncomfortable mask around the house for a little while-bring it on.  I will take cuddles any day for looking a little silly.  It’s just “protecting what I have” and being smart-something we ALL should do.  For me some days it may be a mask…for you it may be forcing yourself to go to bed or choosing to eat for performance not only for pleasure.  Just do what it takes.

Remember, if we do not take care of ourselves, we cannot take care of the people we love.  That can go from being healthy physically and also mentally.  A strong you allows you to be a “strong for them”  A weak you can help “weaken them”  BE STRONG.  BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION.  BE IMPORTANT TO YOURSELF.

Take charge.  Eat right, get the sleep when you need it, don’t “wait” till you get sick to take care of yourself- treat your body like it is a fortune because you know what?…it IS.  No money in the world can buy your health once it is taken away-only you can make the choices to do all you can to protect it best as possible.

So as we all heal in this house I have gained a new strength within myself from making it through last week without the worst of the worst from either of my boys and knowing I took care of them despite being immune suppressed, blah blah ..”I handled my house!”  We CAN take control of our life and how we chose to live it and the hard work we do, the smart choices we make,-they pay off!  You don’t get something for nothing…put in the work to get the reward.

Am I perfect, NO.  I’m human just like you but I know what has kept me alive and helps me do the things I want to do and live the life I want.  Yes, these things can be difficult at times but give me hard for results anytime-they are worth it.  They will be worth it for you too-and I know YOU CAN.

Strengthen yourself at all times so you can be and do all you want to.  For me, being able to take care of the ones I love when they need it the most, is one of the greatest gifts of all,

LIVE LIFE FULLY and BELIEVE YOU CAN,

Dottie