Maggie’s Medicine

Sometimes I chance upon my long-ago efforts at writing in the midst of the early days of raising my family. I have always made attempts to make sure I didn’t forget the things my children said and the many small joys in my days.

This story was written in November of 1989 for Welcome Home magazine a monthly publication. I subscribed to this very homey newsletter for inspiration and encouragement in my stay at home role at the time. Given that Maggie is soon to celebrate her 31st birthday this week and welcome her second child in 2019, it seems very fitting to share this special remembrance with you. I never did submit this 30 years ago, but what a world we live in that it is never too late to share and to celebrate the stories of our lives.

Nothing stops a household like a sick mom. And this was a day for full stop.  But nothing comes to a halt when your home contains a 22 month old Maggie and a nine-month-old Greg.

So you make it through your day the best you can but even my best wasn’t making it that day in November. I woke with a feeling of heavy seas and small craft warnings in my stomach. As the day stretched into late afternoon, I was relieved to hear the car pull into the driveway. Daddy was home.

I rode out the sickness up until dinner was on the table then finally turned over the parental watch to my husband. I plunged into the first bed that crossed my path. It was in Maggie’s room.

Lying face down on the bed, I heard her footsteps as she came in the room. I turned my face to look into hers and saw her quizzical look that asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?”

“ Maggie,” I said, “Mommy’s tummy hurts and she is going to take a nap.”

Having received this information she moved into action. She retrieved her treasured sheep skin from the floor and brought it to my head. She took her baby blanket and laid it over my legs. Finding some books nearby she climbed into bed and sat flipping through the pages. Having “read” me her stories, she got down and headed out the door, left me with a pat-pat-pat on the bottom and a “night night, Mommy”. I heard her say outside the door as I drifted asleep, “I love mommy.” My nap only lasted 45 minutes, however, I awoke cured.

Several days later I shared this event with a friend. She remarked that Maggie was secure enough in my love to be able to take care of me instead of demanding attention.

Maggie’s medicine cured me not only on that day of my stomach flu but also on the days when the “What am I doing at home?” sickness hits. I am with God’s grace in the business of filling my children (and others) to overflowing so that they can know the gift of giving yourself to others.

A former naval officer, who abandoned ship to be home, Mary Gunther and her crew lives in Norfolk VA.

Happy Birthday Maggie! You’ve made my life so rich. Love, Mom

Do you have a special memory of receiving from a young child a gift you still treasure?