Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I spent last night in the ER and then sleeping next to my sick son as he tossed, turned and gibbered in his sleep. Now that I find myself in my way to work I worry that I may be carrying the bug without yet knowing it: as a result I’ll try to be sure to practice good infection control to avoid getting anyone sick.

And yet, they’re is the bigger issue of worrying sick kids and getting sick oneself and not being able to care for them. Yes, I know that sickness is inescapable in samsara but, when it strikes, it always seems to come as a surprise.

Looking for teachings I came across this:

“If sickness comes be glad -may it substitute for the sickness of all embodiment.” When this kind of aspiration is made, we state a dedication that the pain and loss caused by our sickness goes to pay off our karmic debts.

https://www.pemakhandro.org/buddhist-advice-for-carrying-illness-onto-the-path/