Hi, Mom.
“Hi, honey! Were you sleeping?”
No… (I was. I try to sound perkier.) What’s up?
“Oh! I’m at Wal-mart, and all their Christmas stuff’s 75% off!”
That’s great… but I’m not schlepping around yet.
“Oh… okay. I just thought you’d want to know.”
Okay. (I try to sound grateful and happy.) Thanks for telling me…
My mother’s a great person. I’m indebted to her for everything, beginning with the gift of life. However, I’ve noticed she’s not really aware of what I’m experiencing this time around the pregnancy and recovery loop. That exchange is just one example; though, to be fair, she called around 10 a.m. and not earlier. Odds are I was probably awake. She just happened to forget that I couldn’t go shopping yet since I’m STILL HEALING from a C-Section.
She’s not the only one, either.
A neighbor of mine asked if I was going to attend a Christmas choir concert about a week after I’d delivered. I responded:
No, Carol*. C-Section.
Just today, my husband took the other boys to a swimming pool with their grandparents. A friend texted, asking if I was going. As in, asking if I were swimming.
No, I can’t.
*Not supposed to?*
No, and don’t feel like it.
That’s the beauty of the C-Section recovery, I suppose: while I’m not allowed to do certain activities, I also don’t FEEL up to them. Heavy-lifting? Too tired and weak. Picking that diaper up off the ground? My sore stomach region says, “No bending.” Swimming at a pool? Can’t fit into a suit.
It’s not just me recovering, either.
“Hey, Mom!” (It’s my son that loves fun, just before going to the pool.) “D’ya want me to get the car seat?”
The baby’s not going to the pool.
“Why not? He has a suit.”
(I smile.) That won’t fit him quite yet. Also, he’s too little and would get too cold right now.
“Okay!”
Maybe by the time summer comes around, both the baby and I will be up for more. We’ll at least both fit into our swimsuits by then.

*Name changed
Photo Credit: Lubomirkin
©2020 Chelsea Owens