Grateful for this.

I’m sick. You would have heard by now. I am the biggest, whinge’est, worse sick person ever. Because mostly, I am healthy, well, vibrant. Being a little flu’ey is a reminder, I think, of how lucky I am. 
So as I wake for the second time today, I stretch my arms and legs and I am grateful they respond easily. I feel the fluid movement of muscle and flesh. I feel the strength. I take a deeper breath than I have in days and I am grateful for healthy, strong lungs. For clean, sweet, unpolluted air.
I take some over the counter meds and a teaspoon of living well green powder in a small glass of water. I heat some warm oats and grab a cold bottle of water from my fridge. I am grateful that all this is at my fingertips. without struggle or drama. I don’t need to fight for health care or access to the best remedies. I am blessed.
I cuddle up on my couch that squishes around me. I pull out my iPhone and laptop and plug into a community of people who care that I am unwell. Friends, family, my part of the online community. Do you ever feel so loved when people know you are not well, or suffering, or down and they check in? 
I remember when I was suffering the worst depression of my adult life, my father would drop by most afternoons after 4pm and check in on me. Not that he ever said it like that. But he did. Some days he would find me manic with pots covering the stove and eight projects on the run. Others, I’d still be in my pajamas with fat tears staining my cheeks at the shame of me. 
He would share his life with me. His day. Talk to me. Excite me about trying again tomorrow. He would hold me tight and tell me it wouldn’t last. That he knew. Remember. He had been there. I had been there. And it didn’t last. His soft reassurances carried me some days. His openness always touched me. He was not ashamed. I shouldn’t be either. I am grateful for that. For my Father and his gift of love, generosity and authenticity.  
So snotty nose, stupid cough and all. Today is a good day. I am strong in mind. I am grateful for the space to live my life. And the closeness of my family and friends. I am grateful for the will to live my life. And the blessings that have been heaped on me everyday. 
Not too shabby for a sick day. 
What about you?

12 responses to “Grateful for this.”

  1. Your Dad sounds awesome. And it's funny how in the scheme of things we get so caught up in what's 'wrong' that we don't see just how lucky we all are to have what we have. Thanks for reminding me, and I hope you feel better soon x

  2. get better soon suger!

  3. This sounds wonderfully familiar :)Good girl! Hope you feel better soon.

  4. I hope you feel better soon. Nothing like being sick to get the introspection and gratefulness going!Your Dad is right.

  5. "He would share his life with me. His day. Talk to me. Excite me about trying again tomorrow. He would hold me tight and tell me it wouldn't last. That he knew. Remember. He had been there. I had been there. And it didn't last. His soft reassurances carried me some days. His openness always touched me. He was not ashamed. I shouldn't be either. I am grateful for that. For my Father and his gift of love, generosity and authenticity."What I would give for a dad like yours sigh!Camp flu here also honey – no fun!Get well soon xxx

  6. Beautiful post, your description of your dad made me a bit teary..Feel better soonx

  7. I hope everythign you are doing is making you feel better.i must admit it's really nice when people check in to see if you are okay. It's so … heartening I guess.PS you Dad sounds great.

  8. Hope you are feeling better soon.Your Dad sounds awesome!

  9. Your dad sounds like my dad – when i had depression he would come into my room and just listen to me cry if i needed to, or give me hug or stroke my head ( which, even as a young adult, managed to soothe me a little ). Last year, as a first time mum with a baby who wouldnt sleep, he'd come around every afternoon and take my baby out for a walk so that i could rest, or read, or clean, or whatever i needed to do.Super dads, yours and mine…

  10. What a great Dad! I'm also having a great day, but without the flu, just all the usual aches and complaining tendons. But I didn't have to work today, so I was able to lie down every time my back said I should. Yay me!I hope you get over this flu soon.I'm just as grateful that we live in this lucky country with access to clean fresh food and water and good health care.

  11. "Strong in mind" — irreplaceable, isn't it? Get better soon! :)

  12. your words about your dad made me cry and really miss my dad. like yours he'd do anything for me and some days when it all just feels too much, i miss him so much, now was just one of those times.i hope you feel better soon my sweet AND i'm so very glad that you took friday off to relax and recuperate!~x~

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