Sick Days

After several days of near total rest, I’m ready to take on the world again. That doesn’t mean I plan to do much, nor does it imply that I’ll overdo – again. It’s just that I can only take so much of being cooped up inside, watching TV, reading three books in three days, and doing nothing else. Even though I’m limited physically, I still need to be a part of the life around me. I’ve stayed away from my mom’s nursing home since last Wednesday, fearing I’d spread my germs, and today I’m going back. (My husband was kind enough to go there each day for a short visit, and yesterday he fed her lunch.) I haven’t even gone to the door to check the weather. I just donned sweats each day and removed myself from the world.

Today, I gave myself a good pep talk that went something like this: “You never got that sick from this cold. True, it tired you out, and may still abscond with some of your present abilities. But you escaped the worst of it – no fever, no cough, no aches and chills, and no yucky stomach woes. So today, there will be no lolling around and no lame excuses for not moving along. Get your sorry a$$ out of bed and begin your day!” With those commands, I got right up, took a long, soothing shower, dressed in regular clothes, and even put on makeup! It amazed me how much better I felt once I put my mind to it! It reminded me of being young and staying home from school. I was always very healthy, but at times I needed a “mental health” day, and I’d make a small issue a much bigger one. I’m convinced that my mother knew I wasn’t all that sick, but she still allowed me the day away from school. (I did that with my own children when I thought they needed it.) I’d lie on the sofa in my jammies and watch daytime TV, or I’d read and draw. My mom always made me a nice soup lunch, and sometimes she’d play games with me. But she only allowed so much of it, and eventually she’d order me back to the real world. That’s what I did today.

I still sound a little nasal, and all my energy hasn’t returned, but I’m well enough to get back in the routine. I’ll just go a bit slower. I still have to finish taking down the Christmas decorations, but I’ll get it finished little by little. This is the year I plan to give a great deal away to my kids, so I need to keep the boxes handy to let them choose. (That’s a topic for another day.) So, I’m back in the game, and I feel ready for it. I may even venture to Macy’s today to buy a little baby gift for our new neighbor, Max, and a big sister gift for one-year-old Alex. It’s looking like a good day.

Peace,

Muff