We make plans and the Universe laughs. A few months ago, I was invited to facilitate a Cuddle Party at a conference to be held at a beautiful retreat center in Delaware. The idea of offering a workshop I have loved to share since 2005, for the first time since early 2020, was delightful. The prospect of reconnecting with friends I hadn’t seen in a while had me smiling. The opportunity to be in a lovely seaside setting was appealing. Their policy was that wanted pre-entry COVID testing at the door. Wanting to be pro-active, I tested on Wednesday. I had been feeling exhaustion, despite getting enough sleep, my COPD symptoms were kicking into high gear and I felt nausea.
Two pink lines appeared that had me calling my PCP’s office and setting up a telehealth session. He knows me well, since he has been our family doc since we moved to the area in 1993. He prescribed Paxlovid as he had back in to 2022, when the virus had come to call right before my now 2-year-old granddaughter was born and also recommended immune strengthening supplements, which I already had. He cautioned about the rebound effect of the medication but thought it was necessary because of my cardiac and respiratory conditions that don’t play nicely with the virus. The only downside of the medication is a horrible metallic taste that lingers for hours afterward. Tooth brushing and mouthwash are no match. I discovered that the reason has to do with the interaction of one of the components of the drug and the taste receptors in the tongue. One thing that has put a dent into it is menthol cough drops.
The last few days, I have been slowing my roll since, when I haven’t in the past, I have hit a wall. That means staying home, taking naps, being in touch with people via the marvels of modern technology, watching movies, lounging on the back deck, reading, and taking in the DNC Convention. The purpose of political conventions is to rally the tribe together, to celebrate, to inspire and to present a call to action. When people are charged up like that, they are more likely to go back into the world and do the work needed to get their candidates elected. I got to enjoy it vicariously. I missed out on attending the inaugural rally for the Harris/Walz ticket in Philly since I needed to work. I heard from friends who were there, that it was the experience of a lifetime and they felt they were part of history in the making.
I have also been engaged in the act of staring into space, being aware of what is around me, letting go of any feelings of guilt for doing nothing and feeling unproductive. I shake my head at the silliness of that last thought, since I have written two articles, plus this one, and sent interview questions to someone for another piece. I have done PR for a client. I have done some housecleaning and laundry. I have done some light workouts in my living room because I haven’t gone to the gym.
I have done a lot of life review after a few pivotal events in the past few weeks. Two involved the deaths of friends from cancer and one was reconnecting with a childhood friend with whom my path interacted again in college and grad school. Both sets of experiences reminded me of the preciousness of life and the people with whom we share it. I immerse in spiritual amnesia at times and forget that. When I look back over the time line as I am approaching my 66th birthday in October, I shake my head in wonder at how many people I have met as well as the impact they have had on my life, for better or worse. Fortunately there has been more of the first than the second.
My thoughts about having caught ‘cooties’ has changed since its origin back in 2019. I am cautious but not panicked about it. I am accepting that it may resurface again and again like the flu. I am vaccinated. I wear a mask at times. I live as health-forward as I can. I am taking the time granted me here to chill.
Remembering that I Am Healed, Whole and Healthy.
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock
