In case no one noticed

"Mom, he hurt my feelings." sob sob sob
"Mom, she's an idiot." hrumpf. stomp stomp stomp

I'm sick. Bronchitis.

You know how, when you're sick, the normal length of your patience fuse is dramatically shorter? Well, this morning, I reached the end of mine.

Kids.

I totally understand the plight of my 9-year-old when he is being tortured by his 4-year-old sister and we tell him to just leave her alone. I've been there. But she's only 4. She's still learning the ins and outs of social interaction.

Especially social interaction with her brother, who, from time to time, has tortured her himself!

But torture each other they did, and no amount of my strained warbles from my sore and parched throat could get them to stop. I asked them just how mad they felt they wanted me to get. What, exactly, was their purpose in ignoring my pleas and demands to LEAVE EACH OTHER ALONE!

But, by then Jack and I were nearly out the door. I gave up my weak attempts to holler at them. We were into our good-bye routine. Jack says good-bye to Daddy, who's just up and started his morning routine before getting Ruthie off to Preschool. I say good-bye to Ruthie and John, with some hugs and a kiss or two. I love you. Have a great day,... Jack, say good-bye to your sister,... nah,...bla bla bla.

Today, though, after the squabbling and while I was at my wit's end, happy to at least be getting out the door, Ruthie ran to me. Not unexpected. Sometimes she wants that last little hug. I gave it to her and then a surprise. "Bye Jack. I wuv you." and more,.... "Bye Ruthie. Love you, too."

Maybe it's true, the most passionate arguments are with those you love. Even when the fight started simply because your brother asked you to stop kicking the counter so he could hear the morning cartoons.