The Upside of Having the Flu

“Healing yourself is connected with
healing others.“

— Yoko Ono

I am like a young parent with a household of young children, though all of mine are four-footed.

When one comes home from daycare with a cold, the rest catch it; and then I catch it from them. Yes, humans can catch a strain of dog kennel cough and the flu.

The dog pack and I passed around runny noses, coughs and finally the flu in February and March.

I am quick to get the sick ‘kid’ to the vet. It takes me a little longer to get what I need, though I have a new team of physicians that are very responsive (staying healthy while you age is a high priority).

Here, at the beginning of April, I am rounding the corner into recovery. I know this because ‘the blues’ that comes when you are not feeling well have lifted along with the body aches, foggy brain, limited energy, and touchy tummy. My bed sheets have been changed for the umpteenth time, and I am bathing and changing clothes daily. Too Much Information I know, but these small steps are progress.

I recognized that I am healed because my humor and optimism have returned. Yesterday, I made a list of all the positive things about having the flu.

I have found my cup-half-full person again. When my mental clarity, energy, and doing-self are reclaimed, I am filled with gratitude for these rich gifts I have been given in abundance.

My upside list includes:

• Appreciation for the downtime when my body didn’t want to move and my mind was quiet;

• The disinterest in food (I am a very food-motivated individual) and the lost pounds that the scale reported;

• Flu zombie time spent at home with the dog pack, who surrounded me like hot water bottles;

• And, the discovery of some cool content in the form of Netflix movies and books by my bedside.

• I did not fall too far behind on my lists. I don’t totally give over to lying around but move like a sloth and scale back my expectations of what can get done.

• If I canceled time with you, let’s get it back on the calendar. I believe in sharing most things, but not my germs.

• I am grateful for offers of help. Thank you for mothering me with offers of vitamin C, broth, and helping hands.

• The dogs are recovering as well.

• I don’t always appreciate my health until it is threatened and then recovered.

• How are you faring? Mentally? Physically? If not the different viruses, the news can invade your mental health like a virus.

• The last upside of my dance with the winter bugs was ‘I didn’t care what was happening in the news while in the flu fog. This morning, I am fully awake, aware, and taking in all the local, national, and international events.

• I will be showing up to all my responsibilities with a newfound energy, optimism, and readiness to take things on.

I have a hunch that the sunshine, longer daylight, and hints of spring will contribute to my freshness. In April, the daffodils and other bulbs surprise us with resilience in rising out of the cold, sleepy earth.

May you find the silver lining to the challenges you face and rise, stand tall, and weather any cold winds like the daffodils.