Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Reinhabiting my shell

I have a pretty great family. They're funny, direct, creative, helpful and honest. I always come away from full family reunions a bit more self-aware (did I mention our honesty?), and grounded and happy for having laughed so much...and sick. When I am hosting, I always end up sick.

This year was going to be different. I was organized. I made lists of menus and decorating ideas and then willingly threw most of them out. I didn't do too much - well, there were the three parties to be hosted but I had help. I let my pregnant sister cook and clean for God's sake, a lot!

And still, I got sick. Annoyingly, lingeringly, still not over it sick. It started with a bad cold and then a feverish chilly flue and now it's a cough, rash, stomach ache and week-long head ache. In addition, over a week ago, with lots of possible good playing with Zoe days left, I broke my toe.

I have been feeling so pathetic, and insubstantial. I am ready to move back into this too skinny body and fill it up with passionate eating, with dancing and new art projects in our newly finished art room! I want to take long walks with the kids at our local nature center. Right now, I'd be thrilled with a walk around the neighborhood with Tuki. But instead, I will try to embrace this forced time of inactivity and just be still. Just be. Still, I sure do wish this all meant that I was due a rain check on Zoe time and that her parents had to bring her back sooner than later.

6 comments:

Flo said...

Feel better soon! And enjoy the excuse to be still.

Kaat said...

Come over to our place in "semi-rural" Mass and we'll nurse you back to health: we've got snow to play in and to look at (from the cozy warm living room).

Bhu said...

Thinking of you, sweet sister. Sending you a [mental] quilt and bowl of soup. Miss you...

Danielle said...

Oh man, I'm so sorry. I know what you mean though because it often happens here too when ever we go visiting or get visitors. It's those foreign germs our bodies aren't used to. *g*

Are you sure you'll be up for an invasion from us, right after the conference?!

Madeline Rains said...

Thanks everyone. And Danielle, yes! We will be so ready to see you! it's all fun there for the kids and I and very relaxing. Come on Sunday if you want.

Deanne said...

Hope your feeling 100% again soon, but don't rush yourself! Maybe now would be a good time to get back to knitting? ;)