A day in the life of a mother...

Isaiah 66:13a

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;

Yesterday I was at the hospital wiping the tears off my younger son's cheeks as sobs poured out unchecked in the Diagnostics waiting room. A nurse had made a 'mistake' in putting in the IV needle, so he was in pain because of the 'mistake'-arm and had the IV needle in the other. And yes, he had been waiting a couple of hours in the ER. My son has an extremely low threshhold for pain or discomfort, something he inherited from his mother, I'm afraid.

So, swallowing very hard, I went up to the receptionist to ask how much longer it would be. Seeing a woman about to erupt in tears, no doubt, she said she would go and check. I looked across at my son who gave me a hopeful, grateful, watery look. But then, she came back, and shook her head, "I'm sorry, I could not find any of the technologists to ask..."
..at which point, we heard a yell...
"WHAT?!", accompanied by a even louder sob. My son.

Raising my eyes in concern that my son had gone off the deep end, the receptionist said she would check again! She came back and announced it would be another couple of minutes. Grateful, I thanked her.

I went over to my son who did not seem to believe her because he said, "Well, the last time Dad asked and she said 10 minutes, and it's almost 90 minutes (a bit of exaggeration..a Trini-ting, no doubt!).....ohhhhh...just kill me now, just kill me...!"
...at which point, the door opened and his name was called. He arose, his 'drama' had been successful (ever seen Brian Reagan's act on who moans loudest gets the treatment?).

The technie said only one parent was allowed in. I looked at my husband who could clearly see my raw emotions at play here. "I'll go, dear." I nodded. My son would be OK with his solid presence. I was quite liquid at that point in time.

Little did I know I was sitting next to Miss Psycho who had been watching my son and clucking so sympathetically with a very pained look. She had drunk 6 glasses of water for an ultrasound.
So she looks at me, "so hard for him...what test does he have?"
To which I replied..."not sure...suspected beginning of appendicitis..."
To which she responded shaking her head..."Oh my, I remember having that...not good!"
Me: ...Wha..do you mean it is painful?! (visions of my son screaming here!)
Miss Psycho:..Oh yeah..they put a needle in to put a dye so they can see it...and it gets hot and it really burns...(look of horror on my face which obviously fed the psychotic ranting...)...and then they put a tube up your behind and that gives you diarrhoea...and when they take it out, it (the diarrhoea) still comes out...(shaking her head)...
At which point, there is a loud scream! (No..it wasn't me...). Too high pitched to be my son..had to be some poor woman having a mammogram! But it was enough to get me out of the shock Ms Psycho had put me into...

In a daze, I swallowed hard, walked up to the receptionist and asked quietly, while the river of emotions raged inside, and sweetly...
"Could you please tell me about the test my son is having?"
"...Well, I'm not a technologist, just a receptionist", she started, and then got a look at my face and saw what actually lay within...
"..so, what is his problem?"
I told her.
"...oh, that's OK...it's just an ultrasound like the one you probably had when you were pregnant..they put jelly on your stomach....no pain at all!... don't worry, he'll be fine...they're great with kids....I am so sorry he had to wait..I know it is hard with a child....."
Me: "Are you sure, no pain?"
"Nope, none."
"Thank you so much." I could have kissed her.

I walked back to my seat next to Ms Psycho who had witnessed the whole exchange. She looked down and muttered..."Oh, he's having a different test.." I did not want to kiss her, frankly.
She then excused herself muttering she had to put more coins in the meter. Ten minutes later, she came back, coffee in hand and looking considerably 'free' of discomfort. She smiled, "I had to go. There goes all my water!" They called her name. She went in. I was gone before she came back out. Wouldn't it be funny if they made her go back home and refill on water and come back to wait again? (Actually, no, I shouldn't be so mean.)

It all turned out very well. But it had taken its toll on me. While my son was freely giving vent to his raw emotions, I had to keep mine inside. So when we all got home, I proceeded to hold him and let loose! "AWW, Mom..it's OK...I'm OK, now..."
.."Oh, son...you have no idea what it's like being a mother...I feel everything 10 times over...ohhh, I love you so much (bawl, bawl, bawl!!!!)"
Now you see whose DNA my son inherited.

All of this happened to remind me of love, a mother's love.
A mother who for as long as I can remember rubbed my arms and legs since I was very little because they hurt...until I fell asleep. A mother who has prayed and cried, cried and prayed, for her often rebellious and sensitive daughter.

A faithful mother for whom today I rise to call her... BLESSED!
Thank you, Mom. I love you forever!
Happy Mother's Day!
(**reposting from 2009)

For those of you who are feeling the loss of your Mom, may you know His comfort. My mother is physically an ocean apart and I have had to look to my Heavenly Father for the comfort that only a mother can give. And He is the Comforter.

Love, Sita

[Linking up with Faith Barista for writing prompt that I changed to "remembering my Mom" :]