Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The "After Event" (or, I Should Have Known It Was coming)

It happened again this year, as it usually does after a really big, highly anticipated event.  Christmas was over and after saying an early Sunday morning goodbye to my youngest daugher and her family, Tom and I went back to bed and slept for hours.  I started the first of several loads of laundry and dishes (trying to be realistic about what leftovers we could actually consume in just a couple of days), and Tom went to work.  Monday was more of the same -- getting the house ready for Tom's daughter and family, who couldn't be with us on Christmas, to come on Tuesday evening.

It started Monday night.  It didn't help that I had consumed a lot of leftover sweet-and-sour meatballs and seven-layer dip instead of a reasonable person's after-Christmas meal plan.  I was sick, sick -- oh, so sick!  That's all that I will say (and maybe that's too much) but I was really, really sick.

I managed (with my sweet husband's help) to get back to bed and to sleep.  Thinking that I was just paying for my eating choices, I thought that I would get up Tuesday and continue getting ready for our company.  I tried -- I really did -- but I finally threw in the towel at about 3:00, explaining that I couldn't do it.  I encouraged Tom to continue with our plans without me.  I went to bed and threatened Tom with bodily injury if he invited anybody into our bedroom to "just say hello" or for any other reason.  (He actually introduced this possibility to me.  He backed down when I said, "Look at me!  Do you think I want anybody to see me like this???")

I'm up and about today (Wednesday) and feeling much better, but I have a rash all over my neck, arms, chest and back.  This tells me that it wasn't the food -- it is the "after-event" of something big in my life.  It happened last year in January -- a week or so after I retired.  All the rushing to get things in order at work, the receptions and farewell gatherings, plus Thanksgiving and Christmas -- all good things that I participated in with great enjoyment -- were also stressful.  So I paid later -- and got sick.  It's a pattern and you would think I would try to change it.  I had even commented to my daughter that I would probably get sick after Christmas.

The challenge is how I should change it.  I believe that (at 64), I need to build up my reserves.  Not to change Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or any of the events or holidays that we enjoy.  Instead, I should pay more attention to those days when an event isn't on the horizon.  Taking better care of myself everyday will help build my resistance to whatever is lurking in the background, waiting until I have exhausted myself with a really good time.

I'm starting that today -- now.  I'm going to take a nap.

Annie

 

6 comments:

Southhamsdarling said...

Good for you Annie. Hope you enjoyed your nap. What a shame you were so poorly when your visitors were due. I'm like you and all sorts of things happen to my body when stressful things are happening around me. Sometimes I don't even feel that stressed but, obviously, deep inside I am. I will be 64 in April, and agree that we really have to start taking care of ourselves more!

HolyMama! said...

schedule annie pampering time right into your week! you deserve it, year round! :)

Jenny Holiday & Aaron said...

Ohh boy! I am hoping you are feeling better, and plan on some "me time" really soon! :)

Thanks so much for popping by my blog and for your kind words!!

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, fabulous New Year!!

xoxo Jenny Holiday

Pamela said...

I feel like I hit a gold mine today. Not just someone who loves books, but has a whole list of fiction AND nonfiction favorites on their sidebar. I read mostly nonfiction and I've never found a blog with those listed.

I loved the story of the Diet Coke. A lady from a care center comes to our church and she loves diet coke. I buy them for her every once in a while, tie a huge bow around it--her smile is wonderful payment.

bj said...

Seems like a lot of sickness is around here and in REAL life.
And, stress is sure something we can ALL do without.
Hope you continue to feel better.
xo bj

Lilly said...

Stress is a terrible thing and at least it sounds like you have pinpointed how it is manifesting itself for you and what you need to do about it. Good for you! Here is to a happy and healthy 2011!!

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