I am surrounded by love as I convalesce.
I hardly remember making my way to my room on Monday afternoon, and, thanks to the miracle that is pain medication, I slept for hours without hearing a thing.
When I awoke there was a bouquet of roses on the bedside table. The palest of pink and peach, ruffled petty coat petals, reminding me that I am loved. They grow more beautiful every day.
I have mainly been resting upstairs. I have been twitchy to be moving, but everyone keeps reminding me to keep my feet up. So I stay upstairs, away from all the jobs that might call my name. Fortunately I have had welcome visitors. An especially handsome Sudoku player came for a break in paper grading ("Go Ducks!"), a pile of books has been my constant companion, and a chess player climbed up next to me yesterday to play a few games. All are most welcome to this room that gets a bit too quiet.
And most surprising is that my roaming cat, barely seen inside since June, somehow got the message that I was going to be in bed for a spell. She has been my guard kitty, resting on top of me should I be tempted to get out of bed.
I truly am surrounded by love.
O Lord, your compassions never fail
and your mercies are new every morning:
We give you thanks for giving me both relief of pain
and hope of health renewed.
Continue in me, we pray,
the good work you have begun;
that I, daily increasing in bodily strength,
and rejoicing in your goodness,
may so order my life and conduct
that I may always think and do
those things that please you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
from The Book of Common Prayer, Ministration to the Sick
