Chugging along

It's almost end of term. I'm chugging along, not ill enough to be called ill, but not well either. The Husband is away at work, and won't be back till Sunday night. So it's all down to me.

I have to get creative and think of activities to entertain Tara that don't involve use of my voice, or excessive expenditure. It hurts when I talk. Tara's school has added further pressure by asking the children to fill in a sheet of each day's activity. My water meter has taken the wind out of the water based fun we could have. I'm fast running out of options.

I do plan to use the assistance of the computer and TV for the start of the holiday, at least till I regain control of my voice. No tut-tutting please!

Tighten your belts Mums, here comes Easter holidays!

Source of creativity

I find that some of mankind's most beautiful creations, be it art or music or writing has its inspiration in sadness.

From a personal point of view, the best poetry I ever wrote was at a time in my life when I was going through a difficult patch. Happy times rarely evoke meaningful words from my pen...I'm too busy enjoying the happy times to write anything of substance! Angst provides fodder to the hungry writer. Pain makes one introspect and search the depths within oneself and in the outside world too. People who suffer, usually isolate themselves. The solitude perhaps brings to the surface thoughts long hidden and unexpressed.

I admire people who do wonderful comedy. I wonder what their source of inspiration is. That said, some of the world's funniest people were in real life quiet, serious and sombre. Delving into their life stories, it seems they had their own share of internal strife and suffering. Could they have used comedy as a means of escaping that side of themselves? No wonder they say, comedy is a serious business.

Music is another source of creativity. Like most women, I have a special collection of songs that I resort to when I need a good cry. It's funny but it's true. The headphones go on, the tears start to flow, and words spring out from paper to pen. Then I feel better. Happy songs just want to make me dance...not write.

Maybe it's just me.  

Worlds apart

Two sides of the planet
Two young men
Both footballers

It was only a few days ago when news of a young footballer collapsing with a heart attack on the field was in the news. Barely 23, he collapsed in front of a packed stadium in England.

Fast forward to today.

A young footballer barely in his twenties collapsed with a heart attack on the football field, only this time on the other side of the planet in India.

In England there was immediate medical assistance provided, and the young man was taken to the hospital where he was assisted again by doctors at the scene. It later emerged his heart had stopped for more than an hour, and he received almost 15 electric shocks to resuscitate him. Today he has shown signs of recovery and has a good chance of pulling through, while fans and well wishers pray for him.

 In India, there was no medical team on the side, no first aid , no ambulance, not even a first aid kit. The young man struggled in the stadium till someone put him in a rickshaw to take him to hospital. He died soon after.

It's a life lost with no battle in sight to save him. Lack of money is no excuse in this instance. How dare they organize huge matches with tickets sold, and justify not having any medical kit around? That was someones son that died due to negligence. I don't know if someone will ever be held accountable for what happened. The very least that should happen is that stringent laws are put in place in memory of a young life lost forever.

Play date

Yesterday was Tara's play date, and it was wonderful thanks to Tara's classmate's Mum. A rarity this lady. Very hard working yet warm and effortless at making someone feel welcome at her home, which by the way was a beautiful house. It was a warm family house, well done up and clean, but not clinical in tidiness. A lived in house that could make one relax.

Tara was invited home by her classmate who is a lovely little boy. He ended up playing computer games, while Tara played with his slightly older sister. We were invited to join their family for dinner which was at the family table. I was a bit worried about Tara's table manners, but was pleasantly surprised that my little girl who sometimes creates havoc at her own house was impeccable.

Thank yous said we came back to our home, where Tara promptly took on a different persona. Before I reacted I sat back and thought about it. For a child who has been conforming all day at school, then being her best at someone else's house, her own house is a sanctuary where she should be able to sometimes grimace and growl if she chooses to. Her Mum and her house are her 'soft place to land.' Restricting her and making her conform here all day everyday as well could lead to frustration.

It's hard, but I praised her excellent manners at school and at her friend's house and decided to let her be. Tara was over tired and after a hot bath and a glass of milk fell asleep.

A good end to a good day. I'm still ill but held myself together at the play date. This morning I want to pack off Tara to school and crawl back into bed.

Health and happy moments to all.

Not too ill, but don't feel great either.

I pay so much attention to Tara's moods, sniffles, appetite etc. so I know when she is coming down with something. Wish I did the same for myself sometimes. My throat feels swollen and hurts this morning. My mood has been terribly low the last few days, my body aches and I have lost the fine art of being patient.

I won't say I'm terribly ill. I am functional, but not doing a very good job of being an involved Mum. The long awaited play date is after school today and I need to be able to talk. Tara has a big red circle on today's date on the calendar.

In the mean time I'm pleased to report Tara hasn't fallen ill after a cold took hold of her a week or two ago. Just goes to show how the body's immune system learns to cope on it's own after a while. I just hope what I have is not some new bug, because she will invariably get it from me. Tara's teacher had a very sore throat last Friday when I volunteered in her class. It might be that. It's day three today. I don't fall ill very often, and I'm hoping to shake this off soon. Plenty of water to drink, gargles with warm salty water and extra vitamin C is my plan of action today