Notes from the Couch

I write to you, dear reader, from under a blanket on my couch. I have been in this spot for the better part of 4 days now and I am ready to be done with this sickness. Let me just say that I could not have been any sicker this cold and flu season if I had licked the door handle at the Potomac Hospital Emergency Room. Last year, we all made it through like champs - this year we've gotten everything that has come through town. I even tried this morning to make myself feel better by fixing my hair and putting on makeup - only to have a total meltdown and cry all of my mascara off. It has been a bad week friends.

But before I go down a road that I DO NOT want to be on, I have decided that since the hair and makeup routine didn't work, I would present to you 10 things that I am thankful for. Because really, we are some of the most fortunate people in the whole wide world. I give to you 10 examples:

1) I am thankful for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is just so cool to put your sins out there - out loud - and hear back - out loud - that you are forgiven. I am especially thankful that my oldest son was able to experience the awesome power of the Sacrament last night. May the Holy Spirit strengthen and keep him.

2) I am thankful that I heard birds chirping outside my window this morning. You don't know what that does to my spirit. It makes me feel like the spring may indeed come one day.

3) I am thankful that my kids love school and that they are able to go to a school that we love. We are immensely blessed to be able to send the kids to a place that has been so, so, so good to them. I feel like their minds AND their souls are being nurtured.

4) I am thankful that they last little bits of stain from my Christmas spray-tan fiasco are finally growing out on my toenails. I have looked like I was either a diabetic, a chain-smoker, or had some strange fungus on my toenails for the past 2 months.

5) I am thankful for my husband. He is just an all around great person. I am lucky to share my life with him.

6) I am thankful for everyone who keeps a public blog. Really, blogs have been my lifeline the past few days I have spent on the couch. I felt like emailing all the bloggers I stalk check-in on and begging them to add an extra post or two. I have been that desperate.

7) I am thankful that tomorrow is Sunday. How do I love Sundays, let me count the ways. I love starting the week with Mass. I love seeing all of our friends after mass. I love preparing for the impending week. There is a lovely sense of potential in a Sunday. Makes me happy.

8) I am thankful for my sweet little daughter sleeping next to me on this couch. She is sick, too. She just looks so precious with her hands tucked under her sleepy little head. So comfy. So sweet.

9) I am thankful for the leftovers I found in the fridge that made for an easy lunch. Hooray for not having to cook!

10) I am thankful that viruses end and that love endures.