Homemaking During a Confinement

Library of Congress: Kitchen with a Quick Meal stove, 1930.

Some evenings, over the past few months, I receive a phone call from one of my daughters.  "You will have a sick child tomorrow," she tells me.  I ask a few questions about fevers and diet to gather information and prepare myself.  We have an agreement, she and I.  I will take any of her children who are sick at any time she needs me.  In this case, she may have an urgent meeting or an essential appointment.  She knows I will take the babies whether they are sick or not.  I am not concerned about germs or getting sick.*  It is as if these children were a part of my own household. I am here for them at any time of the day or night, regardless of the situation.

I had to prepare for one of these days recently.  After I received the notice from my daughter, I did a few things to get ready for the next morning.  I made a batch of homemade jello in case my patient's fever made it difficult for her to eat.  I went into the guest room and took the twin mattress off the frame.  I brought it into my own bedroom and placed it on the floor. (This would be our sick room.*)  My room is large enough for a play area, chairs, and a television set.  The patient would be very comfortable in a cozy bed of her own, in a place where we could all rest together, because any time I have one of the sick children, I am always given the baby to care for at the same time.  I am always delighted to have these grandchildren here and am happy to take care of them.

In this recent case, grand-girl had a fever for almost an entire week. Her mother took care of her for 4 days and then on the 5th day she had to do some errands.  Early in the morning, she brought me the baby and my 9 year old granddaughter.  We had such a nice restful day while I waited on her and cared for the baby.  I kept asking her questions,"Would you like a cool cloth for your forehead?" or "Can I get you something to drink?" or "Are you hungry for lunch yet?"   We all rested together as much as possible, while I did the work of homemaking and the duties of nursing a patient.

Last month, there were three sick children here all on one day.  They enjoyed the care they received at Grandmother's little hospital.  I am grateful for any time I get to spend with them.  Once the children are well and healthy again, they return to their normal routine and go back to visiting me on our regular schedule.  

If I am ever busy or need to go to the store, when one of these calls comes in, I rearrange my schedule, change an appointment, or put off my errands. The children will always come first.

Now there is a new sickness going on at our house.  Early this week, a member of my immediate household found out he has that dreaded, contagious sickness.  He has quarantined himself in the downstairs section of the house.  Groceries for the patient were dropped off within the first day.  I have rarely seen my husband in days, since this happened.  When he needs to talk to me, he knocks on the wall near the location of my upstairs bedroom.  This is a signal for me to go to the top of the stairs to see what he wants.  He will say, "Call me on the intercom." Then he quickly goes back to his recliner.  He has no idea how to use the intercom on our house phone.  This is why it is a longer process for him to reach me.  I use our remote phone and call the unit in the living room.  Then he will tell me how he is doing, what he might need at the store, and that he loves me.  He is very concerned about my well-being and does not want me to get sick.

I have been resting as much as possible to keep up my strength in case I get sick too. At this point I am only very tired.  But I will need to clean and keep things sanitary. I have work to do but will take many breaks. This morning, I need to bake some bread because I don't have enough to get through the day.  I will prepare the dough early and then set it to rise. It should not take very long since I get to rest between risings.  This is necessary work but will happen at a calm and steady pace.

Many of us are going through hard times, whether it is health troubles or financial needs.  These are struggles and obstacles that we all face at some point.  Yet through it all, we keep house, we take care of the family, we manage the paperwork and the money, and we focus on the Lord.

Yesterday, as I was driving home from grocery shopping, the snow was gently falling, creating a beautiful winter scene.  I was grateful for the beauty of the day, but I was very cold. The heat in my car does not work. (It stopped working at the end of last winter.)  I had forgotten how cold the car can be. But I knew I would be home soon. I would be positive through this difficult struggle of being uncomfortable.  In my heart I told myself, "In Heaven, there will be heat in my car."  What a wonderful place we are privileged to go after our life's trials and work are over - we will be comfortable and happy in Heaven.  Whenever things get rough for me, I will remind myself how perfect life will be for all of eternity in the presence and comfort of our dear Lord, forever and ever. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

* For advice on having a sick room and a safe way of taking care of patients at home, please see my post, "A Comforting Sick Room." (I also share my mother's example.)

From the Archives - 

What Many of Us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

Help for when you feel like - Neglecting the Housework.

Something We All Need  - Peace Be Upon This House.

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Mrs. White's old fashioned cookbook focuses on serving meals and setting the table in a humble home.

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