Respite
Allowing yourself rest, provides others a better you
Respite is defined as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
Today, I sat, read, and wrote. My husband, daughter and her husband visited relatives, people I love, while I stayed at home.
At first, guilt invaded my heart because I should have joined them. I worried my absence would be seen as a slight. How would my husband respond to questions?
- Is she sick?
- Why did she not come?
- What is she doing today?
- How does she feel?
How will his answers be interpreted when he explains I needed some time to myself. It does sound self-centered. Maybe I am placing myself above others because family is important. My presence is important to support others.
Once I calmed my apprehension and recognized the existentialism of my thought, my breathing calmed. Once I accepted the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around me I began to relax.
Before long my mind focused on the immediate, my body relaxed in acceptance, an my eyes accepted the obvious. I refocused. If anyone asked what I did, I would say nothing.
In reality. . .
- I soaked my body in a hot bath to remind myself of the…
