…came yesterday, when, due to a bad case of chickenpox, Seth missed out on a pre-planned  beginning-of-summer-festivities-104-degree-waterpark-fun-in-the-sun-day with friends. 

We’re talking Major Bummer.  As the Mom-driven, kid-packed partying SUV, music blaring, pulled up out front to pick up big brother, the cloud of despair settled over my people-person, activity-LOVING, Mr. Thirteen.  No super smoothie, chicken soup or oatmeal bath was gonna fix this torture  We sat and rehearsed the time his bigger brother missed out on the opportunity of a teen-lifetime to spend the day boating and sunning at an NBA player’s local lake home, due to sudden strep throat.  And, the time Mr. Thirteen missed out on a music concert 3 hours away – a really special planned event, due to sudden sickness.  These details weren’t helping the situation, so, I suggested he phone a dear friend in Seattle.

As he and his buddy chatted, all pain and itching was dispelled.  Laughter and energy bubbled over.  His friend just had serious oral surgery and is also recovering – he can’t eat solid food and is experiencing his own form of suffering.  The jabbering went on for a good hour and was the best medicine my boy could have had.

Last night was especially difficult, and I finally grabbed my pillow and tucked in beside him to try to bring him some relief.  I’m hoping – please, Lord -  we’ve hit the peak, as there really isn’t a whole lot of room on his skin for one more itchy bump!