Warm Shower

I'm having one of those "everyspot in my body aches my glands are all swollen my joints are stiff I am too tired to move or think" days. They rear their ugly head from time to time. I never know if its the cancer flaring up or just old age or both. Sometimes I know I have been pushing too hard. Other times it just happens.

Usually the remedy is to take it easy, lay down a lot, cut all the extras from the schedule and let yourself heal. Its a wonderful excuse to pamper yourself, drink tea, cuddle up in a cozy quilt, watch mindless movies, and breathe. Don't allow yourself to think about anything. No guilt trips about how good mothers do all sorts of amazing things for their children, good neighbors lend helping hands, good Christians are filled with good works.

Nope. This is time to just relax. Today I decided not to practice piano, voice, choir music. I decided to leave the dirty dishes in the sink and step over the garbage in the living room. I decided that the planning, organizing, bill paying and paper writing could wait. Today I am taking it easy. I am pretending that I am 'settin' out, like Gram and Gramp did every summer evening, doing nothing, just watching the cars zoom by on Route 50 and sipping a drink.

To get in the slow-down mood, I took a l-o-n-g hot steamy shower. Unbelievable that I can do that. I stand with the warm liquid caressing my tired, aching muscles, my heart grateful that I am privileged enough to have this option. I let the spray massage my aching side, heat the tender areas under my arms and in my groin. With each patter of warmth I breath in and exhale slowly and give thanks.

Thank you Lord that I have running water (I have lived places where I did not have that luxury).
Thank you Lord that this water is good and hot (many times we heated our water on the stove and taken dip baths).
Thank you Lord that I have privacy and there is no one in this house except me and it is QUIET for a change (I rarely ever have such privacy).
Thank you Lord that I have the right to decide to take this shower now and am not waiting in line, am not pressed for time, am not having to be considerate of others' needs.
Thank you Lord that I am not living in a drought area.
Thank you Lord that the shower curtain is clean and pretty and the floor is even and the tub is scrubbed spotless and the bathroom smells nice.
Thank you Lord that I have clean warm clothes to put on and soft lotions and effective soaps and shampoos to use.
Thank you Lord that I am able to stand by myself and that I am not recovering from surgery. Thank you Lord that my work schedule is flexible and allows me to be leisurely today.
Thank you Lord that I realize what blessings You have given me.
Thank you Lord that this wonderful warm shower is helping the aches and pains to go away.

Ahhhhh. That's so much better.