Priceless

/ Ann Coleman

I tend to be a little cranky when I’m sick, especially when I have a cold.  I know that the common cold is a very minor illness, especially when compared to some of the health issues that other people deal with, but I still hate having one.  I hate the sore throat, the sneezing and coughing, the constant nose-blowing and being so congested that I can barely breathe.  When I have a cold, I tend to walk around with a box of tissue in one hand and a jar of ointment in the other (to soothe my sore nose), feeling tremendously sorry for myself and scowling at the world in general.  As I said, I don’t do colds well.

So you can imagine how irritated I am that I am currently suffering from at least my fifth cold this year.  I seem to be on a schedule of being sick for a week, feeling better for about three days, and then getting sick again.  I’ve sought medical advice, which was basically “take some decongestants, drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.”  I don’t think the doctor understood that what I was actually looking for was a miracle cure that would make all my symptoms disappear forever.  Sometimes even the smartest people can miss the obvious….

The sad thing is, I know where these colds are coming from.  Before I became a grandmother, I usually suffered from only one or two colds in an entire year.  But as soon as my little grandson started daycare, I’ve been catching colds with alarming regularity.  The cycle goes something like this:  my grandson goes to daycare, where he comes into contact with lots of other little kids, and at least one of them is always suffering from a cold.  He catches the cold, and then passes it on to me the next time I see him.  (He may be only one, but he’s already very good at sharing.)

Which means that the only way I can reasonably hope to stay healthy in the upcoming months is to avoid all contact with my grandson.  And that’s not going to happen.  Because as much as I hate having a cold (and trust me, I really hate it), I love my grandson more.

IMG_4458I only have one grandchild and I want to spend as much time with him as I possibly can.  I love watching him grow and learn new things, and my heart melts just a little each he gives me a hug.  I know those hugs usually come with a few cold germs attached (let’s face it, he’s basically a petri dish in a diaper), but I’ll still happily take each and every hug he offers.

Sometimes we have to pay a high price for the things we want, and I know that suffering from a never-ending series of colds is the price I have to pay for spending time with my grandson. But that’s okay, because I also know he’s worth it.

89 thoughts on “Priceless”

  1. Hmmm…I tend to be a little cranky when I’m up. You should see me when I’m sick. Hope you feel better soon and I hope this on and off thing with the cold ends soon. I noticed when I retired I practically stopped getting sick altogether. But yes, I also would not give up hanging out with the grandkids for anything. Good luck! – Robert

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    • Ha! I think I’m fast approaching the “cranky when I’m up” stage too! Especially since most of the time I’m up, I’m also sick nowadays. I’m sure retiring did cut down on the viruses you were exposed to. Meanwhile, we enjoy the grandkids!

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  5. OMG, this is so funny, because it’s absolutely true. When Caelan started daycare in Ireland, we all got sick. Who knew that there were that many different cold viruses one could catch in a lifetime?

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    • Yes, they are exposed to so many germs and they bring them home. But I comfort myself with the thought that even if he weren’t in daycare, the same thing would have happened as soon as he started preschool. Thank you!

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  8. I absolutely agree, Ann.
    I have two grandchildren (3 yrs and 1 year) and have experienced exactly the same situation.
    the 3 year old is just about to start at nursery/pre-school so I’m sure it will only get worse but, like you, avoiding contact just isn’t going to happen.

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  9. Commiserations, Ann. This story brings back my shame. When I was a young thing and all ambitious, I found it hard to believe that a co-worker (and his children) could be sick so regularly. Well then I had my own children and it was the sickest I’ve ever been in my entire life! Another five years of this, Ann. You can do it.

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  10. Ann, I also hate colds. Something that seems to be working for me is #1wipe down the parts of my grocery cart with antibacterial wipes #2 take a daily dose of 2 tsps. apple cider vinegar in your favorite juice. Haven’t had any colds since spring of last year.

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      • You’re right, Linda, it does! I can’t avoid my grandson’s germs, but I can certainly take precautions about all the other ones I encounter. A friend once told me that she uses antibacterial wipe after handling menus, which is probably a good idea. Just think about all the people who touch those, and they are never cleaned!

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        • I am so ready for spring! I can’t remember when I so longed for spring and summer. I will be glad when the whole flu/cold season is past and we move into warm, sunny days. I almost feel like a little kid who can’t wait for school to be over. It has been a long, cold winter. Our fireplace has been going non-stop. Even this morning there was frost on the ground. I do not like to complain because we live in Virginia and we have mild winters compared to other places. Still, it is very cold and damp here, even though we have less snow than many other states I have lived in. So many people I know have been sick all through this past winter…time to move on! 🙂

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  11. Thanks for the heads-up, Ann. Someday, I hope to be a grandparent, and will remember your advice. I am also dealing with a cold right now. Let’s hope we both get well soon.

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  12. I’m a retired teacher and Nonni who watches two little ones every day. Get yourself a Neti pot. and use it! And get echinacchea and goldenseal. The then, when you do get sick, make everyone in your life bring you soup!!!!

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  15. Well, that is a petty price to pay for the mountains of love you share with your grandson. It’s sad that human evolution can’t get better of the viruses. And I agree the worst part of being struck by cold is the congestion if one is unfortunate enough to be tormented with. Here is wishing you an abracadabra recovery!

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    • Thank you so much! And you’re right,it is a very small price to pay. And you would think that with all the other discoveries we’ve made, we would figure out a way to beat such a common and pesky virus, wouldn’t you?

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  17. I was the strong sort that never seemed to get ill from the germs all my kids delighted in bringing home to us (my husband…. not so lucky😆😆) So I put my strong constitution to good use: I kissed and hugged and cuddled them all the time, germs and all – much to my MIL’s and husband’s disapproval.
    The babies have now grown and not so easily accessible for hugs and kisses and tickles and belly-munches. So I have no regrets over not holding back before.
    Kudos to you, Ann, for choosing love. Your grandbaby is one lucky fella😊

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    • Yes, me too. Baby hugs are worth it! Meanwhile, I love the home remedy suggestions because it gives me things to try to cope with the symptoms. And if elderberry syrup helps the immune system, then count me as a fan!

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  21. I’m childless and maybe get a cold once every 3 years.
    I’ve made it known that if someone comes to work sick, I will leave (& have).
    I feel the world is too hyped on ‘working thru the illness’ and selfishly expose others to their sickness.
    Please people, just stay home!

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    • You are so right, it is selfish to impose are germs on others. When I am coming down with an illness, I cancel appointments and commitments and stay home. I honestly think the reason there are so many germs at daycare is because parents are sending sick kids to daycare who should be at home instead. That being said, some people run out of their “sick days” and that’s why they do it. Employers would be wise to offer more sick days, because that would keep their overall productivity up, I think…less sick employees!

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  22. The hugs from our grandchildren are definitely worth the occasional cold! I try to use Airborne in the cold and flu season and I think it helps. Sleep helps too. I know the doctors always say push the fluids…and I imagine that is very important too. Mostly, you are just a beautiful grandmother, who knows that these fleeting years are precious…children grow up so fast! Many people swear by zinc in lessening the duration of a cold. No miracle cures for the common cold! Spring is here and hopefully the cold and flu viruses will go away! Hope you are on the mend and feeling better soon!

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    • Yes, I believe adequate sleep is the best thing we can do for our immune system, and life has been so hectic lately that I’m not sleeping well. I think that is making me much more vulnerable to the germs my grandson is passing along to me. I’ve tried the zinc pills, but I can’t really notice a huge difference, although I have other friends who swear by them. I guess it is an individual thing. Thanks so much for your kind words!

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  23. I literally went years without a cold, eventually claiming that I had outgrown that phase. But like you, I’ve resumed having colds and flu repeatedly since the grandkids arrived. I’m glad you reminded me that it’s just the price we pay for the privilege of being grandparents!

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  24. – No colds all winter despite the nasty weather.
    – Attend grand-daughter’s school play two weeks ago.
    – Still sniffling and sneezing.
    – Yep, that’s how it goes.

    If you can’t get better soon, I hope at least your good humor returns. 🙂

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  27. You’re so right Ann.
    Every hug from your Grandson is worth a cold.
    My Grandson will be Two in April. But I’ve been lucky
    regarding the colds. All hugs and no sneezing.
    I’m just saying. ☺️

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  29. (I think “Cooking for the time challenged” meant to say “for NOT killing your children”) Hello. Wash your hands, constantly. This really works. My grandchild is all grown up but I don’t remember having more colds then than now. I rarely get colds, when I do I drink orange juice first thing. I also get those lotion infused tissues. And Vicks cherry lozenges. And Mentholatum (that little blue bottle-mom’s remedy). We all made it through our first years in school so there is proof that your immune system will make it through your grandkid’s forays into the world of other kids.

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    • Oh, thank you! I need words of encouragement right now. And yes, I do believe that washing my hands constantly is a really good thing. The problem is that my grandson has a tendency to get up in my face with his face…he loves to rub foreheads, which is cute, but also a way to get his germs up close and personal. Still, the more I can protect myself the better, and I do know that my immune system will kick in eventually. Thanks for your comment!

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  30. I remember that when my youngest went off to college, I didn’t get sick for over a year. I used to get sick at least three times a year. Hope you feel better soon.

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    • Yes, you’re reason for catching colds just took himself off to college! It is amazing what we sacrifice for our kids and grandkids. Luckily, they are SO worth it! THanks for the comment!

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  32. Knock on wood, it’s been years since I’ve had a cold, but I don’t miss the misery. It’s so difficult to sleep at night. I hope you’re feeling better soon, Ann. Your grandson is such a cute little nugget! He looks like he’s having so much much. 🙂

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  36. So sorry to hear about your colds, Ann, I truly hate them too and hope you’ll get better soon! I’ve heard that Asthaxanthin (? Sorry I don’t know the American name but maybe it’s the same or something similar) can also help with the immune system. It’s a special kind of algae (red) that’s harvested in Hawaii or Israel.

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