Men are Human: even when they’re sick

Matt continues horribly unwell. He wakes up in the morning thinking that all is well after not sleeping all night and then as the day progresses he discovers that in fact all is not well at all. Became desperate enough to pray for him. Obviously should have thought of that first, but, well, don’t judge me. I’m sure all of you leap to prayer as soon as bad things happen instead of complaining for three days first.

The children did clean their bedrooms. Told them they wouldn’t get their one present if there was no where to put it. The little girls began to sob and the big ones looked at me with slit angry eyes. Was forced to climb down and say, ok, your two presents. Children have no sense of humor.

I am trying to convince Matt to cut the legs down on my desk and on the dining room table. It’s clear I’m not going to grow any more, by this point, more likely that I’ll continue to get shorter. “I really want a real place to sit and write,” I told him.

“You have your desk” he said.

“Yes,” I said, “but as we can both see you have taken it over. Every desk that I have you take over. I would like to have a desk that is too short for you to take over.” I continued to repeat myself until he threw up his hands and agreed to do whatever I want. I’ve learned this technique of repeating myself to get what I want from the children. It’s very effective.

So anyway, he won’t be cutting them down today because he’s going to continue in bed wishing he could die, poor man. How the mighty I have fallen, I think every time I see him. It’s so strange to see someone so energetic splayed out in so much misery. I’m usually the one trying to sleep while he is walking and leaping and praising God at 3 or 4 in the morning or whatever hour. “Women need more sleep,” I try to tell him. “They have to bring forth life and sustain it leave me alone,” I always say. Even now, sick as he is, he has Greek books scattered all over him. So I guess I will leave him here and go face the children alone. Going to try to pray more and complain less today. Have given up the whole no yelling during Advent thing. What a terrible idea. How can you get ready for Christmas without yelling? Don’t answer that! Have a lovely, if extremely gray, day!