Simple Stillness

The flu that I have wrestled with since Christmas Day seems to finally be receding, and I'm recognizing that I've been away from school long enough that the desire to write, to find words, to read, is spilling out of me again.

And today, once I got through my third challenging work shift in three days, I've been embracing the beautiful stillness of that time away from school.

I ate lunch with my family (turkey soup, so good, my first real meal in days) and then headed home.

I dimmed all the lights except for those on my Christmas tree (and laptop), dressed in pajamas, and crawled into bed for a nap.  I'm not sure you've lived until you've drifted off for a Sunday afternoon nap with a favorite show playing on netflix, and the glowing lights of a Christmas tree reflecting off of the brightly colored ornaments I chose when I decided on a whim that this would be the year I'd once again have a tree in my living space.

Three hours I dozed, buried under the heavy weight of blankets, the softness of my newest faux fur throw tucked up around my neck.

And it was pretty much heavenly.

A week of flu has reminded me again of how much I appreciate simple joys.  How thankful I am for basic health that doesn't leave me out of breath after simply walking up the stairs.  How thankful I am when I am able to clean a little.  How lovely a hot shower feels after a week of illness.  The wonder of something soft against my face.  The joy of turkey soup and breaking an enforced fast.

And the glow of Christmas tree lights twinkling against pink and blue and green and purple ornaments.

Quick

I know it's been quiet around here, and, honestly, it might stay that way for a while.

That said, I will be back right around the new year with my usual post of thoughts and dreams.  I'm not sure if I'm going to choose a word this year, but I have a few on my mind that I'm playing with, so if I choose one, I'll be sure to write about that as well.

School commands my days, though I've been enjoying a nice Christmas break for the last week or two, with another week and a half to go.  In reality, I've spent the last two and a half days mostly in bed, down with some sort of flu bug that I'm just emerging from now.  I'm thankful to be emerging, but thankful too for the chance to simply take to my bed and rest, rather than try to push through the illness.  That alone has been lovely.

And with that, I'm off to bed again.  I miss writing, but the words just don't seem to flow these days.  I'm feeling alternately frustrated and patient with that, and trusting that at some point they will flow again.

Daily 5 - December 13, 2012

Because thanksgiving is spilling over just now, and nights like this are worth remembering.

I'm thankful for...

1. quiet mornings sleeping in
2. cuddling under cozy blankets
3. a mattress that doesn't hurt my back and hips
4. studying peacefully and feeling like the material actually makes sense
5. big pots of David's tea, kept warm under a cute tea cozy
6. the color turquoise
7. calendars and lists
8. infant sized fingerprints on my glasses that remind me of giggles, grins, cuddles, and games of "don't let the baby yank the glasses right off your face"
9. friends who feed me and indulge my need for ice cream
10. laughing and more laughing
11. iced tea
12. peanut buster parfaits
13. planning and scheming
14. dreaming about Christmas
15. three-year old boys who kiss me goodbye
16. glitter
17. twinkly lights
18. instagram
19. magic bags
20. bright colors all over in my Christmas decorations