Life, Interrupted

Photo by Somruthai Keawjan on Unsplash

Good morning, my friends! My heart embraces the enthusiasm implied with that exclamation point, even if my body has forsaken me and would rather just climb back into bed.

The crud that I mentioned last weekend showed itself by Monday morning, and I ended up missing a day and a half of work. I struggled to stay awake to actually complete a full 8-hour day when I did work. Add to that the terrible coughing fits in which your coworkers give you the side-eye, wondering why you’re even at the office and also in which you must tightly cross your legs while coughing to avoid additional humiliation. You ladies of a certain age know exactly what I’m talking about. Monday through Wednesday, I couldn’t speak for coughing. Right around Thursday morning, I could have sung bass in the church choir. By Friday, I sounded like a squeaky mouse, if I could make any noise at all. The good news is, I am feeling better, yet still managed to be awake at 7 a.m. this morning, hacking a lung. I did nothing yesterday but drop my recycling off, which was threatening to need its own room, and stop at the drug store to get more Sudafed and a package of Poise (again, ladies - you get it). The rest of the day was spent resting, knitting, napping. I simply could not aspire to anything more. Today, it’s this post and laundry, then a repeat of yesterday.

Incidentally, I find it incredibly sad that I have to repeatedly tell myself that it’s okay to rest. I’m not good with sitting still, mostly because I’m wired that way, but also because of guilt. Anyone else struggle with that? Just me?

This last week has also been a roller coaster, emotionally. I’ve been all over the place which is really not surprising since I wholeheartedly believe that your emotions are affected by how you feel physically. After having let go of the RV I mentioned last week, I got my hopes up on a different one that was shut down almost immediately and ushered in a rather dramatic meltdown, due mostly to my physical state. Normally, I would get on the phone with my friend J, but seeing as how I couldn’t even talk, I managed to melt down via text with her.

I need to take a minute here and tell you how massively grateful I am for J. This woman would cringe at the idea of being called a saint, but she comes pretty close to one in my life. She has always been there to listen, not judge, and never offers up any platitudes that minimize my feelings, even if I am throwing a record-breaking tantrum and we both know it. She cheers me on, speaks truth to me when needed (wisely, not in the middle of a meltdown), and has my back, always. She’s an amazing friend that has earned the right to speak into my life. She’s seen the worst and the best and loves me no matter which I’m marinating in at any given moment.

So I’m having this meltdown when J suggests that maybe I should look for a camper rather than a motorhome. Price is WAY less and in this day and age when there’s a service for anything, you don’t need to own a tow vehicle, especially if you’re not moving around constantly. There are companies that do that for you for a lot less than either a motorhome or a tow vehicle.

Now the funny thing here is at that moment, I realize the salesman I’ve been working with suggested that very same thing earlier in the day when I hit a wall with the other motorhome, but I immediately shut HIM down. But let J say the same thing, and all of a sudden, my ears are wide open. Folks, this goes to show you the power of people who’ve earned the right to speak to you and be heard. No offense, Sales Dude.

With that, the clouds parted. My plan lives.

As I write this, the sun is shining - always a blessing - and while rain is expected later, the temp is supposed to get to 75° today. Which you’d think would be the best news ever, until you realize that tomorrow’s low is set to be 19°. Typical Ohio. Can’t imagine how I ended up sick.

Thank you for reading.

XX

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