Colds and Contemplation

This week has been rough for shouting, honestly.

My not quite 17 month old caught his third ever cold and it's his fourth time being sick in his short lifespan. This has brought a household of sniffles and healing that seems to come in time and in lots of clingy snuggles with Mama and Daddy.

It's miserable to be sick, more so I'm guessing when you're little and don't understand what's going on.

So we snuggle. 

We stay hydrated, we have snacks that don't hurt scratchy throats, we get our favourite blanket, our favourite show (currently Franklin) and snuggle up to get warm and comfy while the temperatures outside continue to drop. 

At least, that's what my son does. I've spent a bit of our snuggle time thinking.

How many children on the Angel Tree have someone to snuggle them when they're sick, to tell them they'll be alright when their illness wakes them in the night, to get them a drink in their favourite sippy cup? 

How many of the Angels on the tree have someone to watch over them as they sleep, sitting with them in steam and humidifiers to ward of croup, to reassure them when they don't understand why they feel so miserable? 

The answer is disheartening when you realize how low a number this could actually represent. 

Some of these kids probably do have workers who care but also have a room full of others needing their attention too. Some of the little ones may live in amazing baby houses but face transfer in years that fly by far too quickly. Others may be lucky and have foster families. Others still may sit, on their own, left to battle on their own.

I wonder about Tara who ages out at just 14. I can't imagine a 14 year old without a Mama to care for her when she's ill. It just doesn't seem right. Please, if you read this, share this little girl so her forever family can find her, or maybe even search your heart and see about supporting her grant (angel tree ornaments make great presents).

It did this sick household good to check the Angel Tree today and see numbers climbing (including Tara's!!!!) and hopefully we'll be back in shouting form before you know it.