I Get Sick, And The World Doesn't Stop

So, the past few days, I've been sick. Not the *sniff*sniff*- cough-cough- type of sick. It was something much more severe, actually. I somehow had the "please-send-me-to-the-hospital-cos-I'm-in-so-much-pain-I-want-an-I.V." type of sick. Fevers? check. Chills? Yup. Pain in my joints? You betcha. The latter was so severe that I was wishing for a heated pool so that my joints might have some sort of reprieve. It didn't happen. After much prayer, my fever broke somewhere around 4am. Now, this morning, I was still pretty weak. However, by this afternoon, I was feeling much improved. The only thing that seems to remain is my very sore and stiff neck, and my sore throat.

None of this is what you want when traveling. To see a friend. Whom you've never met. In person at least.

So we've been at a friend's house here in Iowa for the past two days. I'd never met her in person until I pulled into her drive. Yet we'd been friends for years. We met on a website mostly traveled by homeschoolers. And then we emailed. And then we called. And called some more. And the years went by..tick. tick. tick. And so I devised a plan to come and finally meet her. Maybe get to see Missouri for once, and it might be healthy. You know, clear out some of those cobwebs that were hanging around.

Hey! While we're at it, we're only going to be 9 hrs from Mt. Rushmore, kids! Wanna go see Mt. Rushmore? (Queue quizzical look from kids which led to a long study of the history of Mt. Rushmore) "Why sure, mother dear. Let us travel to that great and historic place" (I swear, they sounded just like in my brain.) Ya know, after we're there, it's only a hop skip and jump to Deadwood....and Denver...

Then I started getting emails from long time friends asking us to travel just one state more North or West to come and stay with them.  And so it began, our cross country trip planning. But we have to get back before the summer hits because we have to hit the East Coast at least two times before Autumn comes again.

But I digress....majorly...
My friend. Whom I'd never met in person. The one to whom I owe this trip. (Which means I can totally blame it on her, right?) We've been with her and her lovely family for the past few days. It's as if God picked us up and set us down right in the middle of healthy sunshine. Everywhere I look is smiles and help and caring. The 14yo is playing like never before with newly made friends. Pleas for adoption have taken place.  Each of my children have made new friends.

Let me explain something to all of you "healthy" people reading this. When abuse occurs, friendships don't take place. Friends aren't allowed. Ever. Every bit of every moment of our lives was controlled and set to a timer. There wasn't any time for friendships. Each day had it's own room which had to be cleaned from top to bottom (furniture moved as well) and bleach was used. Even the walls.

So, stepping into the world of 'normal' for the first time ever, I'm seeing how wonderful it is that my kids are acting normal. For the first time.

And this is only our first stop if many. I can't wait to see what comes of the rest of this journey .