Sunday’s a good day to remember what we’ve been grateful for over the past week, don’t you think? I’m joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots in her Gratitude Sunday tradition, and here’s my list:
– Getting through this week intact. It was such a long and battering week… when I look back at last Sunday when we went to the farmer’s market and bought winter squash, that seems like a month ago! I overdid it last week I think, and it took most of this week to recover. And by recover I mean lying in bed all day, unable to muster energy for the monumental task of taking a shower… or having the energy to turn over in bed, or lift an arm, or open my eyes.
I had a very very difficult time this week accepting my current situation.
It’s so not me. I’ve never been one to lie around… I love to be up and about and out and doing things…experiencing life and the world. And I’m used to having all the energy I need in order to do that; to be able to just jump up effortlessly and do whatever I fancy… flitting around the kitchen doing various projects, or taking a brisk walk without even thinking about it, or doing heaps of errands on my bike without a second thought. Or just feeling reliably well and being able to travel, make plans, do projects, live life. And it makes me so sad when I can’t do those things. Always feeling ill with no end in sight and not having the energy to live the life I want is a really fast way to crush a person’s spirit. And then when my stomach isn’t keeping anything down… and I’m hungry but can’t eat, or maybe just little bits of very light things…and I’m feeling so sick… is when I drop to a very very low point. I dropped to some very very low points this week. Being this sick, and the uncertainty of it all, and the fear that comes with that, is requiring everything I have — and then some — to stay mentally sane. Some days I do a better job of that than others. But I had a really nice weekend, with improved energy today and that really lifted me up. A lot.
– Taking a fun, leisurely Halloween night bike ride around the neighborhoods! It was a balmy night, and so fun to see all the action.
– A clean house. I’m always amazed at the difference it makes to have a clean house! When your home feels like a sanctuary instead of a dump… then golly yes it is nice isn’t it!
– Looking forward to tomorrow’s forecast of more snow. I just love cozy, cloudy days with snow falling.
– Being so thankful that although this illness can absolutely flatten me, that I’m really strong, and I bounce back. My body’s strong, my mind’s strong, and I’m otherwise very healthy. And I WILL bounce back when this is all said and done. And I’m so SO thankful that I’m not completely bedridden. I read a book called The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating (thanks for the recommendation Sarah!) and the author is completely immobilized and totally bedridden by a mysterious virus or bacteria that she contracted on a trip to Europe. I’m so thankful I’m not in her situation — it could be so much worse!!!
– Some interesting, entertaining dreams. I love when my dreams are like that!
– Just hanging out with my hubby…talking, laughing, dreaming!
– The coziness of being home on a wintry, cloudy, snowy day. Not needing to go out into it, but enjoying it from the warmth of our little apartment.
– Synchronicities. Lots of them lately. This always brightens my mood because I feel that whatever’s going on, it’s what’s meant to be going on, and I’m right on track… right where I’m meant to be, frustrated as I am sometimes with that!
– Sunshine flooding in the south windows.
– An “Irish moment” that really tickled me. I don’t have a lick of Irish in me (a bit of Welsh, though…close enough?) but I had some Irish music playing one day, and had just fixed myself some delicious soup of pastured chicken bone broth with potatoes, celery, and onions (all from my garden!). I was eating my cozy, comforting, homegrown soup in the living room where the music was, and it just felt so homey and…Irish! Haha!
– Improved energy today.
– A wonderful walk today with my dad at a nature spot we haven’t been to in a while. We spotted hawks, an unusual duck cruising the pond (a Wigeon, we think), a duck skeleton in the grasses (such light, delicate bones!), and a kingfisher. It felt so good to be outside in nature, in the Autumn sunlight and brisk chilly air, one on one with my dad. Then we came back and he made us some really delicious hot chocolate from scratch. Then we had a nice, simple dinner at the kitchen table. After such an awful week, my appreciation of the simplest of life-filled moments like these increases a thousand-fold.
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What blessings have you appreciated throughout your week? Leave a comment and let us know!
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Lindsey,
Firstly, thank you for the kind words you wrote on my blog! It means so much to me to have the support of beautiful friendships!
I feel it’s a time of facing a lot of challenges right now.
I love your list this week. You should be SO proud of yourself for getting through such a rough week! You are amazing! I wished we lived closer so I could bring you soups and help you when you need it.
It WILL end and you will feel better!
Halloween night bike ride sounds fun. It’s fun to see all the costumes.
I love when the house is clean! (Ours is not right now, it looks like a construction zone, but I’ll love it even more when it is clean again!)
Synchronicities are the best!!
The soup you made sounds soo good! I love your irish moment. I have a little irish in me, but I feel a lot irish. 🙂
I LOVE your very last line so much.
Wishing us both an easier, lighter week!
May we remember to laugh often!
All My Love to you dear friend,
Taryn
Oh Lindsey, I am sorry to hear how ill you have felt this week.
I am glad your energy improved by the end of the week.
Your list is lovely, so full of gratitude. The time with your dad sounds wonderful.
Much love to you.
First off, I am sending you major healthy vibes! And I want to commiserate, because I too am a mover and a shaker and it is so hard to be knocked down by illness. I myself have been dealing with some body pain that is still unexplained, even after a surgery. Its so frustrating! And not knowing what’s going on leads to worry and fear and stress, which probably makes the pain worse. So it can be a viscious cycle! But I am learning to seek out support and take those days just as you describe – I had one 2 weeks ago where didn’t leave the house, or the couch for that matter. I felt guilty at first but then I just rolled with it – knitted and watched movies – I never do that and maybe I should more! Thank you for sharing your process and wonderful list 🙂
Hi Aja! Thank you for the healing vibes! I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with unexplained illness/pain too. It’s the most distressing thing, isn’t it. The uncertainty of it! Argh.
I find that the support I have around me is a real lifeline. I’m glad you’re seeking support too.
Healing vibes right back atcha!
Love
Lindsey