The common cold

The crud, the sniffles, sicky bugs (or sticky bugs as Emma calls it). When you have three small children it seems as if cold season last 12 out of 12 months a year. There is one thing that I can't figure out though. Why is it called a "common cold?" Sure there are you common elements, the sneezing, the coughing, the aching, the whining on both mine & the kids parts. But there are your non-Nyquil moments associated with it. Your run-around-outside-barefoot children don't want to go out & play, squabling goes up, patience goes down, your non-cuddler wants to spend most of her day in moms lap & your cuddler doesn't want to be cuddled, the throwing up at the dinner table (yes, during dinner) because of the junk that's got stomachs upset, the waking during all hours of the night crying, and on the list goes. To me what is most uncommon of it all is the extra love you feel as a mom for your "sticky bug" infested children. The affection recieved by your non-cuddler, the "please mommy just hold me" cries from your baby, the "mommy there is a sneeze on my hand, can you please wipe it?" I could do without the whining & struggle in the search for patience but I'll take it when it comes with a midnight cuddle. Thank you Lord that even during a week of illness you help me to see past the negative side of "sticky bugs" and rejoice in my children.