Sick As A Dog

So this past week, we played host to my brother-in-law, who is 14. When he arrived on Monday, we all ran out for errands - first to Meijer, and then to Costco. I pushed the cart at Meijer, and touched everything in the store. Then in the car on the way to Costco, we were all in a silly mood and my husband was trying to lick his hand and put it on my face (he knows I hate it!!) - so I thought I would do one better and get him first - I licked my hand ---and realized I hadn't used any hand sanitizer. :oP

Monday night, I started feeling sick. I caught a cold - and it was my own fault. A few days went by, it was getting really bad, and I was complaining... more than I should. On the worst day (Thursday) I totally lost my voice. I started my day feeling frustrated that I couldn't talk to my family or tell them in anything but a whipser what I was trying to get across to them.

BUT

As the day went by, I started to notice that when I talked to my son, he would answer me back quietly, or by whispering...
It was such a powerful moment for me, to realize that sometimes when he is yelling, maybe it is because of how I sound to him.

Having this cold, and losing my voice, has been such a blessing. It has taught me to be more gentle, to take the perspective of my child, to be more patient... I know that I can get the message across without having to repeat it several times, or get frustrated.

...I feel people listen harder when you are whispering than when you are yelling.