Z-Pack Fever

Hello - well, it's been a while since my last post and that would be the result of a week's worth of nasty illness. Last Monday, I woke up with a headache and as the day progressed, started feeling funkier and funkier. By the next morning, my head was so clogged, I couldn't breathe. Now, I don't get sick very often, so when I do, I do it badly but with much dramatic flair and noisy whining and moaning. Much running of the nose, much sinus pressure and an impressive amount of drainage that found me hurling so violently on Tuesday night that I burst all the blood vessels around my eyes and nose (a phenomenon my doctor, who thinks he's funny, likes to call 'blowing your face out'). I looked like someone had socked me in the face. Oh so pretty, yes? By the way, I have it on good authority from a Scottish friend that the euphamism the Scots like to use for vomitting is 'shouting for Huey'. Just a bit of trivia for you there, do with it what you will.

Anyway, while my body was being beaten by germs, outside the world was a blur of snow and ice, coming in the form of one of the more irritating and nasty storms we've had in a while. I was SO blessed not to lose power (how would I have watched all the "America's Next Top Model" marathons that were my soul source of comfort if I had no 'lectric?), but I was trapped in the house all the same.

Now, I am accustomed to being the one who takes care of other people. Generally, I like to do it and it has been a role that I have occupied for a long time. However, I found myself in a position this week where I had to ask for help from others and I found it hard to do the asking, frankly. I just know that everyone is so busy, the weather was terrible, I don't live close to anyone, the list goes on and on. And yet, every single person I asked for help came through for me. Marilyn took me to the doctor on Thursday with very little notice and despite having a work deadline that was coming up faster and faster. Melvin came and shoveled my driveway for more than TWO HOURS on Friday, cleaned off my car and warmed it up, salted my driveway and my walk and left me with a big box of ice melt. Probably not what he dreamed of doing on his day off, but yet, there he was, my knight in shining armor. Family members left care packages of things I needed, like prescriptions, kleenex, orange juice......

I can't begin to tell you what it means to find out that I have people I can depend on. When you're single, you sometimes find yourself in a position to need help from others and it can be so intimidating to ask. I mean, I always knew I could depend on everyone, from an intellectual standpoint, anyway, but somehow it was different to have it right there in the flesh - people who, by their actions, are saying to you, "You matter to me and I want good things for you". Here's hoping all those people know they have the same commitment from me!