Category Archives: parenting

I had every intention on writing something deeply spiritual – a recent heart check, if you will.  But, the only words that seems to glide off of my fingertips are ones of PLEASE, DEAR JESUS, MAY I NEVER EXPERIENCE A MOMENT LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN WITH ONE ANNA TAKLE.

It’s no secret it’s flu season.  Believe me, it’s NO secret.  The entire state of Oklahoma has consumed the majority of the distributed flu vaccinations.  And, I’m not talkin’ H1N1.  Just the old rag-u-lah flu shot.  When my pediatrician’s office called yesterday to inform me they were cancelling my kids’ Wednesday appointment due to “We are slap out of ‘em,” I knew I had to take matters into my own hands. 

As it turned out, the local health department was hosting their first free clinic yesterday. 

Do you know what free means? 

It means everybody and their uncle would be in line for the vaccination.

So, I waited.

And, I waited.

With my two children.

In the misty rain.

And, I was not leaving there.

Without.

A.

Flu.

Shot.

John Henry was first up.  He sat calmly and never peeped.

Then, Anna.

Sweet Jesus, then Anna.

Put on a display that I could never describe….no actor could ever portray….no eye has seen…..no ear has heard….

What the entire city of Oklahoma and surrounding counties heard in those ten minutes.  TEN. 

Finally, the nurse offered an intra-nasal vaccination.  Quite frankly, I’m no fan of this method. 

But, I no longer had an opinion.  I just wanted to get out.  And run.  Far, far away. 

I let the very patient nurse administer the intra-nasal vaccine.  And, I ran.

To McDonalds.  Because, I promised.

It is moments like these I become so profoundly aware that motherhood is not for the faint of heart.  It’s hard.  It’s a constant questioning of a mother’s decisions.

It’s a mission to point my children toward Christ.

To cultivate character and respect.

To decide whether or not to call in reinforcements to hold down one four year old for a vaccination or choose another method.

It’s just hard sometimes, friends.

Are there days I would love to go back to my twenties and be childless and fancy free?

Not. A. One.

Besides, I would have never heard, “Mom, I don’t want a blue shot!”

Now, somebody pass a cinnamon roll, and y’all have a great day.