The good thing about being sick?

I am sick.  I got sick this weekend, and it has not gotten much better.  Usually I can just coast right through and maybe take a nap on the weekend or go to bed early during the week.  I try to save "sick" days for my boys.  I am not brave.  I am sometimes a wimp.  And sometimes I bring it on myself by not slowing down right when I should.  Sometimes I get myself in a bad way!

This weekend, I was going on a girls weekend.  We were going to Susan's fishing lodge on the river near Nashville.  On the way to Bristol to meet the girls, after cleaning up and packing as fast as I could, I got a really sick headache.  Then my ear stopped up.  On the way, I got so sick that I was having Whitney and Lisa dig through my pocketbook for medicine while Cindy drove.  They gave me ibuprofen and a Benadryl that they had.  We stopped to eat and give me a break.  I almost fell asleep eating a baked potato at Cracker Barrel!  Then, after assuring them I did not need to turn around, I fell asleep and felt better once I woke up and we were almost there. 

The next morning, my ear was still stopped up; but I got up and walked for over an hour up and down a gravel road on the property.  I covered up my ear and felt much better after a hot shower in that beautiful stone bathroom I like so much!  We kayaked for over 3 1/2 hours on the river, and I felt so peaceful and a little like I was on Survivor at the same time.  We pulled over to eat a delicious lunch of chicken salad croissants, chips, and soft drinks.  Everything tastes even better when you are outside and have worked up a good appetite doing something fun.  We even passed food to each other (eating in our kayaks) with our paddles!  That was really Survivor-like.  When we got back, we went and did a little Christmas shopping and passed a small town Christmas parade with the real Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Sometimes you can just tell when they are real.  We came back and ate a great dinner of grilled pork chops, baked potatoes, and corn.  Both nights, I slept great.  I did not hear a thing and trusted that Lisa would be the first to awaken me if anything went on (she did not sleep as deeply as some of us out there near the river!).

But coming back, it hit me again.  I felt so bad.  Bad turned to worse which has turned into two days at home!  I never do this!  But I have watched a movie I have wanted to watch for a long time - after sleeping through a few Murder, She Wrote episodes.

Sam took care of me yesterday.  He got an ice pack for my head.  He tucked me in on the couch.  He kissed my forehead and said, "Who do I love?  Who do I love?"  He also brought me his food and his insulin pen if he was hungry.  I got a couple of "I hope you feel better" comments last night and even a teenager kiss!  I got my medicine and something for dinner that cost a lot more at the grocery store near the pharmacy than what it would have cost at Walmart - from my dear husband. I have had calls and texts to check on me.   All of these are good things about being sick. 

Another good thing is to slow down and be able to think without doing many things at one time.  I put things on hold, because I cannot do them right now anyway.  So I have been able to think about things I am looking forward to and about things for which I am thankful.  They have brought tears this morning - letting me know for sure that I need more quiet time with Him. 

I have been so overwhelmed, and even anxious, for months.  I don't think I realized it until recently.  But I feel myself climbing out and being pulled out of yet another pit.  I am so thankful for that too.

So when I am sick, I need to remember it's not all bad.  I feel terrible.  I don't like the sick feelings and the headaches and all that comes with it, but there are some good things too.  For those things, I am so very thankful.  What a great time, right before Christmas, to be reminded and assured and reassured.