Difficult Week

"The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears."

It has been a very difficult first full week of school.

I've allowed myself different times to just cry and let all the frustration out.

Rachel's school called and told me they did a head check and they found lice. I had to come get her. I asked them to go ahead and get Noah ready to go too. They said they had checked him and didn't find anything, but I just wanted to get everyone home so I could do a full check. I called Leah's school and asked them to send her to the nurse to be checked and that I'd be right there to get her. She ended up having it too. All 3 of our girls did - and 1 boy. In fact, most of the homes on our street had it.

These little critters are a nightmare! I have been cleaning everything, bagging up their rooms, and combing out hair every day.

I took Rachel back after keeping her home an extra day. Her little face broke my heart as we were standing in the nurse's office. There were other children in the room on the "beds" and they were talking about lice. They actually surprised me in a good way. One girl said she had had it last year and the other girl sympathized with her saying it must have been annoying. Many people put such a stigma on having this problem. As soon as I found out we had it I was texting, emailing, and calling everyone I thought needed to know. (And that's really all who need to know!)

The nurse told me I could take Rachel into her restroom for privacy sake. She already had 2 other moms in her side room. But when I walked by I saw that the 2 mothers in there were my friends, so I said a "cheery" hello and the nurse said that we could go in there if we already knew each other. The nurses at the schools are very impressed with us moms this year.

We are supporting each other through this. No blame. No shame.

Rachel passed that day and was able to go back to class. So did my son. But Leah and Sarah did not. The next day Leah passed, but Sarah did not. Now we have a 3 day weekend and I am praying by Tuesday everyone is able to go back to school.

On another note, this week had some other negative news. A guy I went to school with chose to end his life. He was my age. I know life can be difficult, but I can't imagine thinking that is the answer. This is the 2nd person in the last few months from my graduating class who made this choice.

All of this has made this week a bit exhausting. I have been a bit sensitive.

I am ready for a fresh new week.