Ben started using a new phrase this month that I wish he hadn't learned, at least not yet. It started a couple of weeks ago when he got the stomach flu and now it is the phrase of choice to describe any possible ailment, and he is using it almost daily. This morning, as he was pointing to his neck he said, "mom, my tummy hurts." "My tummy hurts" - a dreaded phrase torturing mothers all over the world in every language. Why so dreaded? Well, no one really knows for a certainty what "my tummy hurts" actually means. It is one of those phrases that means something different each time it is used. Does it mean you have to go to the bathroom? Does it mean you are worried about something? Does it mean you don't want to go to dance class or church or school today? Does it mean you ate too fast? Does it mean that you are going to *gulp* throw up?? Who knew such a little phrase could have such a myriad of meanings?
I usually hear "my tummy hurts" from at least one of my children on a daily basis, which means I regularly have to get out my crystal ball so I can predict what is actually happening inside my child's body or mind. Now that I am on my 4th child, I'm getting pretty good at this, even though I will admit to an occasional mess up. After Katie stayed home from school after throwing up at 1:00 am one day last week, Lacey started complaining that her "tummy hurt" right before it was time to go to school. With the stomach flu camping out at my house and with the bona fide tears flowing down Lacey's cheeks, she was very convincing. She almost had me, but I kept pressing her to determine if this was, indeed, another case of the barfs. I caught her in an amazing feat of drama as I asked her if she just wanted to stay home from school with mom. That was it! When I told her she could come home early with me on Friday at lunch time, following earth day, the hurt tummy was miraculously healed and Lacey never did develop a case of the stomach flu.
So now I have another person with the occasional "tummy hurt" that I will have to learn to diagnose. Just thinking about it makes my tummy hurt!
Everett Andrew Duncan, Jr. 9/26/1958-01/02/2015
9 years ago
3 comments:
Oh My...I am hoping he moves on to a different saying...although, it could be worse...maybe;)
The tummy hurt thing is the worst. It truly sends my stomach into the lurch when I hear it. Good mommy-detective on Lacey though. I am glad your all started to feel better now:)
Umm, just reading " my tummy hurts" made me cringe...it's the WORST!!!
All I could do while reading was smile and say "Amen, Sister!" Physical tummy trouble is icky, but mental tummy trouble is worse! :)
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