Stomach Flu

So, my entire family has now come down with the flu. Well, not the entire family; only those who reside at my home address and some who are simply visiting. It began, of course, some few days ago when my niece suddenly commenced throwing up at my brother's place. Her brother contracted this illness a few days later, and offhandedly gave us all the opportunity of contracting it. Needless to say, we unknowingly and unwittingly took him up on it. My mum, dad, two sisters, and me are now reduced greatly in energy and strength. I myself have been fortunate to have recovered, seemingly, much quicker than they all, and have therefore been occupied with supplying my fellow sufferers with whatsoever they stand in need of. I have never run up and down the stair so many times in a single day, I think, nor shall I ever, I hope, do so again. "Jeff?" their voices float through my door. "Jeff, can you get me some water?" "Jeff, I'd like some toast, please." "Jeff, your sister's throwing up again; would you mind helping her with the bowl?"

The answer, of course, is always the same. If I have been lucky enough to escape my bout of illness with minimal damage, then it is indubitably my responsibility to take care of those less fortunate than I. It's isn't easy, not by a long shot. But it is more rewarding than just about everything else you've done in a day because you put other people's needs above your own. I am currently sleep deprived having had two all-nighters in the past two days, and I am halfway to pulling one more tonight, and I have spent my day fetching and carrying and so on.

Now, I do not wish to come across as a braggart, extoling my own praises for the things I've done today. My only wish is to teach those who read my blog something I learned through personal experience. When it comes to family and helping those who cannot help themselves, we should be willing, without reservation and regardless of personal inconvenience, submit ourselves to the task presented to us. Nothing can be greater or more fulfilling than the feeling derived from effort expended in the behalf of family members who cannot do for themselves. In fact, that feeling is probably the only reason I am able to write coherently at this moment.