How is Your Stomach?

Last night I was sick. My stomach hurt, I had a horrible cold, and of course, it was Christmas Eve. I realized an hour before my parents and the children descended that I was absolutely not up to festivities.

I lay on the couch while they ate dinner and had a birthday celebration for Sophia's doll (!). I didn't eat cupcakes. I sipped tea and felt like crap.

We made our yearly pilgrimage to look at Christmas lights, and by the time we got home my stomach felt a little bit better. The kids opened their presents and while they got ready for bed, my sister made coffee with Irish Cream in it.

I sat in our big blue chair, put my feet up on the table and savored my warm beverage. I started to feel OK for the first time in about three days.

Mom walked into the room, and with an exaggeratedly concerned look asked, "How is your stomach feeling?"

"It actually feels a lot better now."

"Does it feel OK? How is it doing with the coffee?"

"It's fine. The coffee is good."

"Good, because you know, coffee has a lot of acid, and can make your tummy feel bad."

Translation: You just spent the whole night lying on the couch not being festive, and now you are sitting there willfully doing something that is going to make you feel worse. Why are you so selfish? You should not drink coffee with Irish Cream in it FOR YOUR CHILDREN!!!!

Sigh.

Merry Christmas