the human body is a funny thing.  At it’s peak we as humans can do extaordinary things.  We scale mountains, our voices sing songs that are inspiring, hands can be weapons with amazing force and speed or they can comfort with the softest tenderness.  But sometimes our bodies betray us.  They ravage us with illness and we are left weak as a newborn babe.  In those moments we curse our bodies for their betrayal.  It just so happens I’m cursing my body right now.  It’s a mean spirited merciless torturer who is plaguing me with virus and cold.  The last 2 weeks have been weeks of illness in our house (or the den of sickness as I call it now).  A seemingly endless number of flus, colds, infections, and aches have attacked each member of my little family.  Last week it was just a cold, a little minor cold that Connor was carrying around.  This week it’s an ear infection.  Last week my dog Maggie (yup dogs too) was just a little iritated and achy, this week we discover she has a severe skin infection in her mouth.  Tuesday Scott and Connor had a little stomach bug, but on Thursday I turned it into a roaring 48 our stomach virus that had both Scott and I visiting the ivory palace more times than I care to recall.  Connor’s ear infection has left all of us with little to no sleep as he loudly struggles with the pain and agony of not being able to lie down to sleep.  We’ve been left to cradle his precious form in our arms sitting up at night so he can have relief.  And just as his pain was beginning to fade I’ve picked it up like a champion and claimed it as my own.  This afternoon the tell tale signs of ear infection have been visited on me as well.  Now I too am unable to lie down for relief.  So as everyone else in my precious little family rests from the burden of illness this week, blissfully dreaming away I sit, here at my computer bemoaning my troubles to a (hopefully) eager audience of readers.

After so much frustration with illness these weeks I cant help but reflect on a broader scale the purpose of pain in my life.  There are different types of pain of course, simply put physical and emotional pain.  The pain I’ve had this week has been physical.  But I really do believe that the things we do to heal our physical pain can be useful to our emotional pain as well.  So thinking on that… what do I do for my physical pain to heal it?

1. I take medicine. – It really never fails, when I’m sick I search my cabinets for the medicine I need to be well.  Emotionally we do that too, sometimes we talk it through with a friend, or we spend a day in prayer to heal our wounded heart.  We listen to music that kneads away the pain.  But as with medicine for my physical pain there is medicine for emotional pain that can be deadly.  I shouldnt take a whole bottle of Advil no matter how much my head hurts.  In like manner alcohol, or drugs to drown out our pain can be deadly to our recovery.  We can’t just wipe the whole thing away with excess, medication doens’t work that way.

2. I take it easy. – My dad’s advice to me this week as we’ve worked through illness has been “take your medicine and take it easy.”  He doesnt put it in those words exactly, but that’s his general point.  In addition to medicine we need to rest and allow our bodies to use that extra energy for healing.  Why would we treat emotional pain any differently?  Dealing with emotional pain is draining.  That extra energy has to come from somewhere.  If I dont choose where to let go of things to store up extra energy then I’ll be completely out of control when the energy is drained away from something I care about.  When dealing with emotional pain I choose not to waste energy on things that arent important.  That friend I know who whenever I call her she has gossip and mean rumors and anger toward this person or that person is a drain of my energy.  So I dont call her right now.  That guy who always leans on your for emotional support even though he’s been through damaging relationship after damaging relationship and never learns doesnt need your energy right now.  Choose where you are not going to spend emotional energy, control where you arent sending it or it will be chosen for you.  Dont loose out on the energy you spend loving your family and loving yourself because you didnt have the sense to spend energy wisely.

3. Rely on others – Earlier this year I went through a week very similar to this, but I had pneumonia.  (by the way… that totally stinks)  One of the nicest things about that week was an evening when our friend Maureen brought us homemade chicken noodle soup.  It was a gesture straight from her heart, not requested but not denied. Scott and I loved the soup and loved her all the more for her kindness.  And I am certain that my recovery was quickened by each delicious bowl.  But Maureen would have never brought the soup if I hadnt been vulnerable with the people who love me and shared that I was ill.  When we’re emotionally sick we need the same sort of help.  Share with people who love you that you are not ok.  Let them bless you with caring, and help with the kids, or help with dinner or just a listening ear.  Don’t refuse to acknowledge you’re weakened, why carry the burden alone when you dont have to.  And if you’re one of those people who is convinced no one cares or notices then I would say you’re not making your needs clear enough.  Share your burden, it will make it lighter for you.  And the sooner you recover the sooner you’ll have the energy to return the favor and share their burden down the road.

I’m glad I chatted with you Internets today.  I think my ear is feeling better already.

For the last 2 days I’ve been sick. Really sick.  I’ve spent every possible minute I can either in bed or laying on the couch.  While I was there I had a chance to think about totally random things.  So here’s a list of some of my thought (this list is by no means complete.  I’m still sick and blogging just isnt as imortant as sleeing right now).

1. I have the most wonderful, funny, sweet, easily entertained, and adorable son ever.

2. Cats arent nearly as warm to snuggle with as dogs.

3. I have too many photos of the inside of my brother’s nose.

4. Some of the best tv on cable is on at 3am.

5. My husband tries, but he’ll never be as detail oriented in taking care of me when I’m sick as I am taking care of him.

6. My knowledge of grammer shrinks by nearly 80% when I’m sick.

7. There are at least 7 cobwebs on my living room ceiling (I could only see 3 corners from the couch).

8. My computer cable isnt long enough to lie on the couch comfortably and blog.

9. Ugly Betty is twice as entertaining when you’re sick.

10. I hate (yes, I mean hate) Windows Vista.

These are just a few of the things that I remember… but I’m sure there was more.

Also, I’m feeling ambitious so I’ve added more Christmas Cards (and even a Bridal Shower invite) to the list from yesterday.