As sad as it sounds, I'm experiencing a vacation day of sorts because of a hurt back. For years I had this back pack on an off, and most of the time it would take 3-4 days until I felt back to normal. Then about five years ago my family and I began getting chiropractic adjustments regularly, and things got better. It was gradual, though, so I can remember three years ago having pain at the same time as I had bronchitis which then turned into pneumonia. Good times, good times.
Over the years I've stopped thinking of myself as someone with a bad back. Yoga, stretching, and chiropractic have really helped eliminate the pain I used to expect a few times a year. And so yesterday afternoon when I felt that little twinge that told me something was wrong, I was caught off guard. The reason for the pain probably has to do with me moving heavy Christmas boxes in the garage yesterday, and now in addition to the pain I have this guilt that my decorations won't be up today and tomorrow as I planned.
What I decided is that a day of true rest might help my back heal more quickly, so I informed my husband at 8 that I'd be staying in bed all day, and so far I have. My oldest son has played waiter, coming in with an imaginary notepad and a great British accent, asking what I'd like. Minutes later he came into my room with a fried egg sandwich, glass of water, and a bowl of Panda Puffs.
I'm reading American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld and I'm thankful it's a big book, because I've been glued to it since last night and still have about 50 pages left to go. This computer break was taken not just to catch up on my Facebook friends,but to force me to slow down on the book and enjoy the rest of it.
So, while I'd prefer not to be dealing with this back pain, I'm happy to have my laptop, a book, a tall glass of water, and some solitude. And later when I'm bored out of my mind, I will ask my son to bring up my recipe books so I can weed through the recipes I no longer want to make, and then I'll address and stamp our Christmas cards.
