shokufeh is…home

Wouldn’t it be funny, but not really, if, after twenty-nine days of blogging, I missed my NaBloPoMo goal?

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We’re now going on about 24 hours of MrMan complaining about his stomach. The first few hours were understandable, as I didn’t plan his eating very well into our trip back from Atlanta, and he ended up throwing up. Twice. But since 11 pm last night, it’s more of a mystery. He ate food he kept down, but then writhed around in pain every half hour or so. We eventually ended up in the (very relaxing) emergency room, but left with no specific answers. We’ve spent most of today in our pajamas, with impromptu naps and belly rubbing, and a bit of sweating and vomiting. I’m hoping he keeps down the broth I’m making for dinner, and that he’s well enough to go to school on Tuesday.

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If traveling with a child you fear may become carsick, keep a plastic container handy. The child can alert you when it’s needed and make the deposit. You put the lid on and all is good in the world.

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There is something very pleasant about being able to walk a few blocks down the street, amidst lovely fall color, to a park, complete with fun playground. It’s nice to be small enough to climb on the equipment with MrMan without bumping my head. The sound of the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet was also quite enjoyable.

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My cousin is a goddess – today she did an amazing job of hosting not only a very full Thanksgiving dinner, she spearheaded a birthday party for MrMan.  Another thing to be thankful for: awesome family.

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She waited.  Watching for the face of the boy who had a place in her heart.  Planeloads of faces streamed by, none of them his. She eventually made her way back, alone, to her dorm.

Another boy, one she kept at arms’s length, insisted on filling the time she hadn’t expected to have that night. They walked over to Third Avenue and ate ice cream. Then up to the swings at 23rd. She kicked up her feet and pumped her knees, soaring through the air, leaving her sorrows in the dust.

It’s possible she cried that night, but what she remembers of that night is the kindness of a friend and the joy in her heart while swinging through the dark.

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My goal for the next few days: spend time with friends and family.  It’s already starting.

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A couple of weeks ago, while watching tv, MrMan and I saw a  public service announcement for flu prevention. Elmo and Gordon told us to wash our hands, and not to stick our fingers in our eyes, noses, or mouths.  When I see MrMan chewing his fingers, an annoying habit of late, I ask him, “What did Elmo say?” He pulls his fingers out, smiles sweetly, and says, “Sorry.”

Last night, as we were getting ready to say prayers, MrMan starts complaining about something in his nose. ” This nose,” he says, pointing to his right nostril.
“Your right nostril?”
“Yes, my nostril.”

So I help him blow his nose, thinking we were now going to get back on track. (Oh, Shokufeh, when will you learn – efficiency is nowhere on the radar of this boy.)

“[Former classmate] picks his nose all the time.”
“MrMan, [Former classmate] isn’t in your class anymore.  You have no idea what he does.”
“[Former classmate] picks his nose.  If he picked his nose yesterday (his designation for anything in the past), I can say, ‘Ahem (he makes a very dramatic throat clearing sound), [Former classmate], Elmo said not to pick your nose.’”

I can say, nice job on the PSA, HHS.

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I’m so not feeling ready for the weekend to end.  I spent most of the day in my pajamas, for which I was rather proud of myself. Yes, I’d been looking forward to the po-boy fest.  But this feeling of being burnt out, in conjunction with the cloudy day, helped me make the decision to just be. My family members weren’t really sure what to do with this strange version of Shokufeh who had no goals for the day. Just in case anyone’s thinking I’ve been abducted by aliens, I do have hopes of a productive Monday.  Though I’d have no problem with waking up tomorrow just to relive today.

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• New Moon, and popcorn for dinner
• Twilight and the second half of dinner: cereal
• Waking up without my little human alarm clock
• Baha’i class
• Snuggling
• Friends for dinner – curried square rice noodley goodness

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