This isn't the Christmas I expected or planned, my whole family is sick except me, (Mama's aren't allowed to be sick) but I'm still thankful for what we have, this illness will pass, and I'm just so thankful to our Lord, that for the most part we're usually healthy, we are all together, we have food, warmth and love, we live in a free country. There is so much beauty around us we take for granted everyday. Everyone here is sneezing, coughing, or groaning from aches and pains, one woke up at 3:00 a.m. with 103' temp, I didn't get some last minute things baked or made, but we're all here together and even though all a little snappy, we still love each other. The 12 yr old went to bed at 7, the 6 yr old needs rocking right now, and dh is whineing, but I love them all and need to go tend to them. Praise God I'm still able to!

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), December 24, 2000

Answers

I know what you mean, Carol. One year our family traveled from Arizona to California to spend the holidays with family. We all promptly got sick and everyone took to their beds, even the grandparents we went to see. A couple just had bad colds, but some had the flu, what an awful mess. We just sort of wrote off that Christmas. It's the first holiday season that I didn't gain weight from all the good cooking. There wasn't any! I hope you all get well soon and can enjoy what's left of the holidays. God Bless.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), December 24, 2000.

Hang in there, Carol...this too shall pass. The bug that is going around here is a nasty one....high temps and headcaches, achy bodies and sore throats. My sister in law has it now, poor baby...she popped in for a token appearance at my folks, then quite sensibly went back home to bed (they live right next door to my folks). Next year she'll chuckle about the day. It sounds like you have a good attitude...!!!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), December 25, 2000.

This may sound a little old fashioned but I take a cup of hot water put three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey in it when I first get the chills, it seems to keep me from getting a cold or the flu. If you already have the bug it will relieve the symtoms quit abit. I have been doing this for eight years and it has been very sucessful for me, might be worth a try. Herb.

-- Herb. (hsmith@yta.attmil.ne.jp), December 31, 2000.