The last couple days have been full of great lessons. One of the most important perhaps is the reminder that I cannot give from an empty cup.
While I want to help Pippin feel better from her surgery and let her know she is not alone I also have limits on how many hours I can stay awake. I made it from Monday morning until nearly eight pm last night with barely more than a couple intermittent hours of sleep. Something had to give.
Luckily, Pippin had reached the same exhaustion level and slept for nearly four hours before starting her crying again. And when she woke around midnight we made a compromise. Rather than me lying on the floor next to her dog bed listening to her cry all night and keeping the whole family awake, Pippin and I went to the basement. I laid on the sofa with her next to it on the floor so I could be a little more comfortable as I comforted her. I even managed to drift off a few times.
I'm so grateful for that old, soft sofa! I'm grateful to have gotten some sleep. I'm grateful to be able to send my husband off to work more rested today. I'm grateful to not have to work until this evening so that I can be here as Pippin continues her recovery. And I'm grateful for our compromise last night that helped me stay semi-rested while being there for her. I'm grateful that the next dose of pain meds has kicked in and she is once again resting.
How do you take care of yourself when someone is relying on you? How do you keep your cup full so that you have something to give?
May today bless you with balance. May you remember to care for yourself. Have a beautiful day!
While I want to help Pippin feel better from her surgery and let her know she is not alone I also have limits on how many hours I can stay awake. I made it from Monday morning until nearly eight pm last night with barely more than a couple intermittent hours of sleep. Something had to give.
Luckily, Pippin had reached the same exhaustion level and slept for nearly four hours before starting her crying again. And when she woke around midnight we made a compromise. Rather than me lying on the floor next to her dog bed listening to her cry all night and keeping the whole family awake, Pippin and I went to the basement. I laid on the sofa with her next to it on the floor so I could be a little more comfortable as I comforted her. I even managed to drift off a few times.
I'm so grateful for that old, soft sofa! I'm grateful to have gotten some sleep. I'm grateful to be able to send my husband off to work more rested today. I'm grateful to not have to work until this evening so that I can be here as Pippin continues her recovery. And I'm grateful for our compromise last night that helped me stay semi-rested while being there for her. I'm grateful that the next dose of pain meds has kicked in and she is once again resting.
How do you take care of yourself when someone is relying on you? How do you keep your cup full so that you have something to give?
May today bless you with balance. May you remember to care for yourself. Have a beautiful day!
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