Aaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

6am. I am still doing my 'subconscious' praying - you know, where you aren't quite awake yet, but your mind is heavy about someone or some situation and you are mumbling prayers on their behalf. My body is stiff and weary. I do not want to get up. I know I must, but I can't convince my legs to swing over the side of the bed.

Sugar is whining and needs to go out. Yeah, yeah. In a minute. I sigh and manage to sort of sit up, then haul myself off to the bathroom. I turn on the hot water faucet in the shower, stand sleeping slumped against the wall until I sense steam, then I adjust with cold water to the exact perfect temperature.

I step slowly over the side of the tub and into the flowing stream. Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!! How blessed I am! The warm liquid swirls over my tired shoulders, caressing my aching muscles, massaging my cramped back muscles, relaxing my arms. I am warmed as if I had cuddled in a thick down comforter or a multi-layered quilt. I let the water drizzle over my fuzzy head and trickle down my cheeks. Am I not the most fortunate person?

I just stand there, soaking it in, reveling in the pleasure, feeling guilty for wasting water when half the world is thirsty, yet valuing the therapeutic effect. I take a deep breath and watch the steam swirl up over the shower curtain rod, poofing out into the room, drawn to the ceiling fan in a pixie dance. The shower curtain flutters with the grandeur of it all, making the little printed brightly hued fish seem to swim.

I exhale and feel the weariness lift, feel the warmth to the core of my being, feel the cool splash of the rising mist wash my face. I breathe again, down to my very toes, holding it in like some smoker drawing every ounce of possible pleasure before releasing the air into the spray of the shower. I bury my face in the vigorous streams of water, turning, turning so every centimeter of my body is blessed. Ahhhhhh. Yes. The weight is rinsing down the drain.

I know I must end this orgy, but I resist. Just one more minute. Just one more. Turn, turn, stand with your back to the inebriating flow, bend, stretch, crack your spine bones, twist. Wipe the water from your eyes, taste the chlorine on your lips, flip your head to toss the water from your stubble of hair.

Truly, truly, I am so fortunate to have this amazing resource available to rejuvenate and uplift my weary weary self. What a great way to start another day.