Stomach Bug

 

I was sick to my stomach on Monday morning. 

I attributed it to stress. 

I wasn’t happy about this attribution because I don’t mean to be stressed. 

But them a friend reminded me that I am currently enrolled in a doctoral program at UNC-CH 

And that that was enough to make anyone stress. 

I showed myself a little grace after that and I felt a little better.

But I never felt great. 

I taught all day, 

Went to my teacher’s meeting and heard how terrible NC is going for teachers,

Went home and ate, 

Went to class for 1.5 hours,

Worked on homework for 2.5 more hours,

Went to bed, 

And woke up

Vomiting shortly after. 

The night was long. 

I decided that this was beyond stress and that I officially had a stomach bug. 

 

I drove into school on Tuesday morning to get everything ready for the sub.

Not feeling great and not firing on all cylinders,

I left my book bag at school.

Though felt a little lost without it, 

I quickly realized that it was probably good that I left it at school because I wasn’t tempted to work.

Instead, I slept the entire work day

Until I had to get up to meet Heidi the Librarian to get my bookbag

Because I had class Tuesday night.

I went to class.

I went to sleep.

I slept through the night!

And I went to work yesterday feeling not great, but much better than I had at the beginning of the week.

 

And that brings me to today. 

I’m at work again, 

Still sore from the violence of being sick, 

Still not feeling 100%, 

But okay. 

 

And sometimes, 

Okay is enough. 

 

Oh God:

When the days are fraught with stress, 

And the nights are long with sickness, 

Even there You Are. 

Grant moments of reprieve for the weary

And peace for the worn. 

For You Are rest and 

You Are good. 

Amen.