This has been kind of a weird week. Today I am looking at it differently.
Sunday night I came down with a miserable cold, which had me completely down and out on Monday and feeling miserable but functioning on Tuesday. I decided that, with my husband out of town and no outside meetings until Friday, I’d take it easy.
I saved the heavier lifting for later in the week, when I knew I’d have regained my energy. I’d need to make trips to several grocery stores in preparation for a dinner party Saturday, get to a couple of appointments and run some errands.
Today I awoke to snow on the ground and a forecast of another six to 10 inches to come later in the day. I threw a coat over my PJs and did some preliminary shoveling because I didn’t want those other inches to pile up on top of what was already there. I have a bad back that doesn’t take to shoveling and I still have that cold. And I still need to get out to the store. Poor me. Wah, wah, wah.
Then, as usual, I checked in with Facebook. A friend’s status read: “made it to the gym for a decent workout before heading out early to day 2 of chemo.”
I knew she had begun her third regimen of chemotherapy yesterday for what has been a long and frustrating battle with cancer. Still, since the first diagnosis, she has completed a number of half marathons and competed in bike races to raise money for cancer research. She also follows an ambitious daily workout regimen. Before I am out of bed in the morning, she has already done her aqua-jogging, ridden her bike many miles, gone for a run or worked out at the gym.
Today, she worked out before chemo; more astonishingly, after day one. And I’m sniveling about a head cold and a little snow.
Funny how life finds a way to smack you with a little perspective.
Word Nymph 
Thank you Monica! Time to take off the velour pants and inside only fluffy socks. My worries are minimal and the snow is beautiful. Pray everyday for a cure and God bless those who are fighting cancer.
today i had planned to unsubscribe. interesting blog, but not enough content about language. after reading today’s insightful and moving post, though, i have decided to postpone my departure.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for reading. I think of this blog as one about language and life (maybe I need to insert a subhead to that effect). I have readers who like one but not the other and vice versa. I hope you’ll stick around but, if you do choose to unsubscribe, please come back and visit periodically. Thanks again for weighing in.
Amen to life smacking us when we need it. There but for the grace of God go I. Hope you feel better. Get up, get dressed and go to the store. You’ll feel accomplished and that will make your health better. Accomplishment always does a body and mind good.
My thoughts–and my plan–exactly.
I loved your blog today. It reminds me of how lucky I am. One good thing about today’s snow. I don’t have to work tonight.
It is good to sometimes get that somewhat smarting smack in the face. Sometimes I get to thinking of how ugly it is to get old–then I remember all those who never did get old. Perspective.
My mother used to say to my brother and I someimes… “Yesterday I complained I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet.”
Good post!
Very inspiring. BUT, as your mother, I still don’t want to know that you’re outside shoveling snow with a fever!
I was going to whine about it not being ENOUGH snow, then read your post and am just happy I am healthy enough to enjoy whatever we get. Feel better, sip a hot toddy and enjoy the view!