I don't cry very often. Really, I don't. Tears might come to my eyes occasionally, but I normally brush them away and continue on with whatever task I am trying to perform. Something happened yesterday that touched my heart so deeply that I couldn't help but cry.
What was that act? Kindness. Extraordinary kindness.
Ben and I are in transition. He has started a new job that has some pretty rocking benefits. As is custom, we must wait thirty days before these benefits take effect. We were kicked off our previous insurance a few days before he started the new job. Yeah, we don't have insurance.
This hasn't been an issue until today. Rather, a few days ago when Andrew woke up screaming. Every 15-30 minutes. All. Night. Long.
The first night I figured it was my fault. I had interrupted his sleep to pick Ben up from work.
The second night I thought he might be scared.
The third night I wasn't sure what to think.
And this was our quandary: do we take him in to the doctor? If we had had insurance this would not have been a question. But, because a doctor's visit would require taking money from our oh-so-tight budget, we had to make a decision.
See the doctor or eat.
OK. Maybe not that drastic, but close.
The threat of repeating the last three nights, and the potential of an ear infection, led us to the doctor's office.
I must say, we are very satisfied with our pediatrician. He has taken care of our kids--and us--very well. Ben even shadowed him! We know him and trust him.
The doctor did not find an infection. He did find a sore, in the back of Andrew's throat, resulting from a virus that he has seen once or twice this year. The good news: it only lasts about 5 days. The bad news: it is very painful. The ultra bad news: there is nothing we can do about it.
Needless to say, it was not a good visit. I could feel our bank account protesting against our hsatiness, "If you had only waited another day, you wouldn't have needed a doctor!"
I was feeling pretty defeated. I had Andrew dressed and was only waiting for the doctor to dismiss us. As he finished typing, and opened the door, he said something I did not expect. He said to Ben, "Don't worry about paying. Take her [me] out to lunch. She needs it."
The tears surprised me as much as his words.
Kindness.
I hope we can do the same for someone in the future.
P.S. Andrew's sore is much better. He was able to sleep all night last night!
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