It was a tough morning.  I stared into my mother's eyes as she cried, "I'm sick.  I'm really sick." 

"I know, Mom.  You aren't feeling well.  You are nauseated." 

"I don't understand why I can't get better."

I am at a loss for words.  I held her close and said comforting thoughts that came to mind, "Remember yesterday, you didn't feel well in the morning and then later, you felt much better.  Maybe today is the same thing." 

She said, "What did I do to deserve this?  Did I do something wrong?" 

"No no. Of course not.  You did everything right Mom.  You are a great mother and grandmother.  Everyone loves you.  You are the best."  

"I feel like the worst."

I hugged her tight and said "I love you" and prayed for her to feel better.  "Do you want me to get you anything?  Can you eat some crackers?  Some jello? Some tea?" 

"Maybe some tea." 

I force fed her a few bits of jello and some poached egg.  I fixed tea the way she likes, 5 minutes of brewing, a spoonful of sugar in the raw and some organic milk.  "Just sit it down on the dresser and I'll drink it.  Right now I just want to sleep."

And so I left her.  To sleep.  Which she did.  I went outside and picked spring violets the way I used to when I was little.  Gently plucking each one from the ground with the longest stem possible.  I returned them to her house and put them in the basket vase that her Grandmother gave her.  Just like she used to when I presented her my childhood bouquets.

 I returned this evening to find her better.  She had eaten well the rest of the day.  I soaked her a lavender bubble bath and got her ready for bed.  "You have plenty of other things to do besides take care of me.  I'm sure you are sick of it." 

"I'm not," I assured her.  "I do for you the same that you would do for me if things were reversed.  In case you haven't figured it out yet, Mom, I like being around you." 

She smiled and said, "Good night.  Be careful driving home." 

Maybe it was the tea.  Maybe it was the prayer.  Maybe it was the violets.  Whatever it was I am thankful for it and want to bottle it up to use again in those moments when I feel helpless.