The Journal of an Honest Mom

A family member is having health issues. She is now having to change the way she eats because of a new diagnosis. One of those things is hard enough. Both at once? That’s a lot.
The last thing I wanted was for her to feel like she had to figure it all out by herself.
So every other day I’ve been taking her food.
There isn’t much I can do to actually help her physically. I can’t fix the diagnosis. I can’t make it go away. But I can cook. I can sit with her. I can make sure she doesn’t have to think about one more thing while she’s trying to adjust.
So that’s what I’ve been doing.
Is it more work? Yep.
I have four little kids. Loading everyone up every other day isn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world. But honestly… it’s worth it.
Today we took it a step further.
Instead of just taking her a plate, we decided to make it a family meal. So instead of cooking for six people, I was cooking for ten.
On a Sunday.
After church.
With four little kids.
And of course… this whole thing was my idea. 
I wanted her to have a normal Sunday. Sundays are meant for family meals after church. I didn’t want this diagnosis to take that away too.
Can I just say… I have never appreciated my crock pot more.
That thing earned its keep today.
While we were at church, lunch was basically making itself. I came home, finished a few things, packed it up, and off we went.
Here’s the part I wasn’t expecting though…
I actually enjoyed it.
Not just because everyone got to eat together. I genuinely had fun making it all happen.
It made me realize something.
Sometimes we avoid helping because it sounds like “one more thing” on an already full plate.
But sometimes helping is the very thing that fills your own cup a little too.
Surprise, surprise… helping was helpful