Don't Forget the Ice Cream

Whatever You Do: Don't Forget About The Ice Cream

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 

Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:34 NLT

     Many know that my daughter is a Crohn's Warrior. She has been battling a combination of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's since she was 9 years old.  It has been a multitude of battles in these years, that of not only physical, but emotional and spiritual. My girl internalizes EVERYTHING. She gets it honest: I do too. When she worries, it causes her digestive system to go into overdrive. I have learned to watch the signs. That's what Mamas do and do well. 

Two weeks ago, Miss A went for her every 5 week infusion treatment. I feel like my Jeep just knows where to go: Downtown Children's Pavilion at the Children's Hospital of Richmond. Miss A shouts out what floor in the parking deck we are to park at and away we go. 

There is a new nurse in the Infusion Center. She is there helping to get the patient going to ease the load on D and W, the amazing Infusion Specialist Nurses who run that ward like a well oiled machine. It is a great group to be around. 
While prepping A's IV, our new friends asks about her bracelet collect. Miss A shows her the beautiful Plunder bracelets I just bought her and on to the jelly bracelets she wears and so the story begins....

                                    

(From left to right)
Lady A, looking down at the bracelets, explains:"This bracelet is for my friend who had cancer and is in remission."

"This one is for our friends at church who's son is fighting cancer."

"This one is for our friends at church who's sister earned her Angel wings from her cancer."

Our new nurse, "WOW! that is a lot of cancer. What about this tye-dye one?"

A, smiles and looks her straight in her eyes: "Oh!!  This one is from Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop in Williamsburg. Because, ya know: what teenager doesn't like ice cream?!" They both giggle and I just sit back and watch. She isn't finished... 

"Plus... Mama said that no matter how bad things may seem or may be: don't forget the ice cream."

Don't Forget The Ice Cream

To explain, we must go back to March. We all know it well. The beginning of the pandemic. Our finances are once a month. It is just the way it is, so on pay day, we shopped for the month. It is a family ritual for me and my two children. We get up early, go get breakfast and stock back up for at least 2 weeks. Because of the pandemic: our goal once go once and not come back out. 

And then there was no toilet paper. 

NONE

My children have never seen empty shelves. To be honest, we have been blessed to never have had empty cabinets. The fridge may get low, but never empty. Not like I saw it at times growing up. This completely unnerved Miss A. She never said a word. She just kept it to herself.

 

We went to several different stores, not to OVER stock but to get what we needed because our stock was almost gone. Once a month, remember?

We FINALLY found what we needed at 9 pm. it wasn't our normal brand, but it would do. 

Over the next few days, the Crohn's Mama started to kick in. The results of Miss A's internalizing the empty shelves is taking its toll on her. She doesn't want to talk about it but she surrenders. The tears flow like waterfalls as she bares her soul.

"Why aren't you stressed out Mama?" she sobs.

"I am worried. But you shouldn't, you are a child. This is none of your concern. 

"Yes, it is! What will happen? I don't get it! Why are you smiling?"

"Because I bought ice cream, baby."

"What?!?!  What does ice cream have to do with anything?"

"Everything, baby. Everything. In the midst of a crisis, what did we put in the grocery cart that we normally don't have?

"Ice Cream," she whispers.

 

"That's right. There was no toilet paper, no paper towels, food shelves were empty, and we went to almost every store in our town to find what we needed and I still bought ice cream. So why are you worried?"

"I don't know."

"Has God ever left us hanging? As much stress and heartache as we have been through: has he ever said 'Y'all are on your own'?"

"No Ma'am."

That's right. Not yesterday, today, or tomorrow. So, today we stop worrying. I can't tell when things will go back to the way they were. I can tell you this:God has us, we will be okay and we have ice cream. So, lets eat."

Tears were replaced with brain-freezes and giggles. 

Fast forward to late May, early June. We take a trip to the Outlet Mall in Williamsburg. Completely spontaneously, we have Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Shop for lunch. I bought 2 jelly bracelets: one for each of them. Miss A looks at me confused on why the new bracelets.

 I whisper:

 don't ever forget the ice cream

The world we are living in is in a state of emergency. Our children are suffering whether or not we, as parents, want to admit it. Spring was lost, Summer was squished, and school (for many) is up in the air. Lack of socializing and companionship has taken its toll on all of us, especially our children. 

Stop forgetting the ice cream.

Or the pizza... 

or the cake mix... 

Whatever it is that is a treat for your family.

 THEY NEED IT. 

Not everyday of course, but every so often won't hurt. 

Encourage them: this too shall pass.

Until then, please pass the ice cream

Wendy