Is it possible to be beyond weary to the bones? A week of a speaking trip in Canada for 3 days,different time zones, many conversations with sweet friends and lots of people, and did I say, little sleep? …..
Coming home to 11 people in our home for a week of speech and debate finals from the crack of dawn until 10 or later at night;
with meals and lots of life and fun; driving, judging, talking, serving;
Finally, Saturday night before the final awards, Joy calling at 5 p.m., “Can I bring 8 more kids home for dinner tonight?” to add to our already 11. A quick chicken enchilada casserole thawed from the freezer.
“Let’s throw together a quick after party at our house after the awards ceremony,” from another one of my children, who was throwing themselves fully into the activity and celebration of the week.
A quick trip to Walmart, candles lit, porch lights ablaze and 38 people showing up on the spur of the moment for snacks and chattering and antics of stories everywhere, loud piano and music, laughter and weary adults falling on the couches as the teens clamored for a little more time together.
Sending off our precious friends to Texas Sunday morning at 9:30.
Asthma, a respiratory infection, still nagging, still hanging on, a deep tightening in my chest, reflecting shortness of breath, but putting one foot in front of the other was a practiced habit….
Preparing a luncheon for 11, that had been postponed twice for a group trip overseas by 1 Sunday and cleaning up after everyone had gone, while the rest of the family was out at a church activity.
Tea time and dinner and a movie, for our last guest, who was ill on the couch and yet so sweetly patient.
Finally, at 10:00, thinking about falling into bed just to stay alive, did I say, beyond weary to the bone, if possible…
When I passed Joy’s bedroom. (She was out at her very last speech party, with friends and comrades.)
Piles everywhere–strewn clothes on chairs, floor; shoes, speech ballots and paper all over the floor, dirty tea cups, plates with crumbs in them, and unmade bed with stuff here and there…….an overall mess……. Read the rest of the story at I Take Joy
photo credit: Th Rennert
About Sally Clarkson