Awake

by Marinka on August 2, 2008

Last week, my daughter’s toe was inflamed and I took her to a podiatrist. She didn’t want to go. She would have preferred to have an ice cream sundae. I didn’t raise no damn fool, you know. But when we were there, she was so grown up, so composed and so brave. She is ten now and sometimes it’s still hard for me to reconcile how she is now with the screaming toddler who I had to restrain for vaccinations and dental appointments.

It was an ingrown toenail and the doctor had to remove a piece of it. I have no idea who she inherited her threshold of pain from, but I bow to that DNA. I nearly pass out when I walk into a doctor’s office and here she was, receiving a shot that lasted a good minute in her toe and all she said was “God, that hurts.” And she’s not even religious.

Later that night, she woke me up at 2 am, standing by my bed and sobbing. She said that her toe hurt and she wanted me to sleep in her bed. She hasn’t wanted me to stay with her for years, so I was delighted. Sleepy, but delighted. I got her some Tylenol, and I lay down next to her. She asked me to rub her back and she hugged me and after about an hour, she said, “I feel better now, you can go to your bed, mommy.” It was a moment of pure joy for me. It was like all that I’ve ever wanted to hear.

One year ago ...

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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

Quart August 2, 2008 at 4:51 am

This brought a little tear to my eye. My 2 y/o went through a phase where he ended up on bed with us many nights. As frustrating as it was at the time, I often miss waking up next to him and his stinky breath.

Watching these little guys become real people is crazy.

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HRH August 2, 2008 at 5:45 am

That is so sweet. So very, very sweet.

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Madge August 2, 2008 at 5:49 am

My six year old still crawls in bed with me sometimes and I love it — because I know it’s going away soon and that will be it. no more snugglies.

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Marinka August 2, 2008 at 6:34 am

Aw, I’m feeling so sentimental these past few days. (Sentimental=PMS-enriched, of course). When I wrote this post last night, I bawled like a baby. A beer-drinking baby, of course, but still. Thanks for knowing what it’s like.

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wfbdoglover August 2, 2008 at 6:37 am

That is very sweet.

I suppose the next blog will be about the mommy of the year award you’ll be expecting.

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anymommy August 2, 2008 at 7:02 am

This gives me hope that I’m not leaving all of my sweet moments behind as they fly through the toddler years. I have something to look forward to besides being called uncool and having doors slammed in my face?! Really sweet and well written.

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Mama Ginger Tree August 2, 2008 at 7:25 am

That was so sweet. Thank God for in-grown toenails.

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Marinka August 2, 2008 at 8:44 am

WFB–yes, that post is practically writing itself!

Anymommy–there are so many sweet moments. Especially if you keep chocolate nearby.

Mama Ginger Tree–That’s hysterical. And so, so true!

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Jill August 2, 2008 at 9:23 am

What a special moment of bonding. I love when my 5 year old cuddles with me – though I usually prefer it to be after 6 am… 🙂

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Z August 2, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Such a great moment, and I’m glad you were just awake enough to appreciate it, rather than being all, “Meh, why did you wake me up? I want to SLEEP!”

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Sonya August 2, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Aww, that got me all choked up…I had to have multiple toenail surgeries as a teen, resulting in a weird rectangular nail on my R big toe. (took me 10 years to brave wearing open toe shoes…)I can remember the throbbing pain…and begging my mom not to make me go to the Dr.

Hope her poor toe is feeling better! And that it’s the last of her toenail issues.

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Marinka August 2, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Jill-yes, I, too would prefer a more convenient time. But I’ll take it when I can get it!

Z-thanks, I’m kind of amazed that I was coherent enough to help her. Usually, I’m very mumbly.

Sonya- I love, love your name. I’m sorry you’ve had toe woes. I hope it’s the last of her toe pain as well.

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Insta-mom August 2, 2008 at 10:28 pm

My little guy will frequently as to sleep on the couch in our room. Our oldest used to. I miss those days with him and I know I will only have them for so much longer with MiniMe. Sigh.

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Alice August 3, 2008 at 6:39 am

Oh my lord. I completely feel for her. I had a bunch of ingrown toenails from cutting them off too much when I was a teen. The whole shot in the toe thing was just miserable.

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