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What a week it's been! My toddler goes to a home childcare provider's house while I'm at work. Last week, one of the other toddlers had a stomach virus, and the mother brought him back before he was completely well. By the next day, (Thursday), all the other kids and the provider had the virus. I got the call at work and went to pick him up. Poor kid was really miserable until Sunday, which was when I came down with the virus myself. I was couch bound on Sunday and Monday - slept 16 hours on Monday, in fact.
It just wasn't a good time to get sick. Is it ever a good time? But this seemed like just a reeeally bad time. Lol. Our sitter was going to be on vacation all week. Although my mother lives in the same city a few miles away, she's still active in her disease and I can't leave my little one with her during the day. I found a backup provider for Monday and Wednesday, but was going to have to miss Tues, Thurs, and Fri from work. Then I ended up missing Monday too because I was sick.
Sometimes I think I just need a stomach virus or something extreme to remind me it's okay and good to slow down. I have not taken vacation this year. I took off 2 days to move, and I've taken some days when my kids were sick - and that's it. Rather than feel guilty for taking the majority of the week off, it's okay to enjoy and appreciate being home, right? It's hard to remember that sometimes, though. I feel like I should be DOING and GOING. When I slept for almost an entire day, my initial thought was "what a waste!" But it isn't, really - what a gift. I NEVER get to do that.
Work doesn't slow down. My email and voice mail were slammed from missing Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. I expected a rough and awful day today and was dreading going in. But it wasn't a bad day - I got a lot done, got out on time, and nothing fell apart. I wish I hadn't wasted the energy thinking about how bad it was going to be!
Anyway, just finding gratitude today in something as awful as a stomach virus - which I think was actually necessary to get my attention. I haven't been good at being still and just BEING. I'm still a work in progress.
Glad you are better!! You DO sound balanced and calm!! Thank you for the share!
Hugs P :)
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
I was just reading in C2C yesterday, thought for today, on PP 198 July 18 talks about slowing down and relaxing. "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time" I know being ill isnt exactly relaxing, but sleep maybe what your body needed. I do so hope you are and your little one is on the mend.
Great share; stomach viruses are miserable - but the fact that you were able to find something therapeutic in it is great. It sounds as if you did need the extra rest and replenishment. Sometimes things are just a blessing in disguise. Hope you and your little one continue to feel well!
I do much the same when I am sick, and feel guilty for calling out. Then I have to remind myself that we have sick days at work for a reason and it is better to take care of myself than to come to work and feel awful. Glad you are feeling better and glad you were able to rest and get back to serenity! How is the pregnancy?
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-youfoundme
Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me...
So glad you are feeling better!!! I too have been sick and never take time off for myself from my jobs. I have had to slow down and have been in the dumps about it. I have been home for the 3rd day today and my toddler doesn't really let me rest or sleep, but I am able to be more low key than had I gone into work. I am feeling poor me and wanting someone to come take care of me and my toddler. But life goes on and my teenager still needs ran to her music lesson and youth group, she plays guitar in a band at Church singing and playing guitar. So I plug along and know deep down this will too shall pass. Thanks for the reminder!
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God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.
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