Today’s an upset tummy kind of day. I have them most days these days, but more often than not it’s the kind I can manage: unpleasant but something I can still go about my business with. Some days though, like today, discomfort comes on like a punch in the gut and I can’t tell what’s wrong or what’s needed and I just have to wait for the moment to pass and be gentle with myself. Things like abdominal self-massage have proven useful and I’ve learned where to push and nudge things in my attempts to find relief.
We were on our way home from exploring the reaches of our new neighborhood: the local coffee shop, thrift store and library branch, when the pain and nausea hit. It subsided enough by the time we got home for me to help unload our van, but I still decided some slowness, stillness and rest was in order. Whatever my body was needing, rest couldn’t hurt. Now I’m ensconced in the guest room loft of our new little home, my temporary dwelling space while Benjamin’s been repainting and refinishing the floors in our bedroom.
It’s a small little tree-house kind of space with filtered light and sheer curtains that billow out into the room with the breeze. I’m comfortable here and grateful for a private place to retreat to after a long day’s work or when I’m feeling poorly. We arrived 10 days ago and it’s mostly been a whirlwind of activity. While Benjamin’s focused on refinishing our bedroom, I’ve focused my efforts on unpacking, organizing and reintegrating our belongings from storage and from our travels. It’s mostly been nonstop productivity as I tick off one item after another on my to-do list. That productivity has given me a feeling of accomplishment and control in an otherwise chaotic time. But I’m also tired. After long days of driving across the country, we hit the ground running here. Benjamin’s eager to wrap up these projects so we can move into a finished room but I see the tiredness in his face.