The Groovy Girls and Grace

It’s the last day of school before Thanksgiving break. My vacation started early because I am at home in bed after a pretty horrific gum infection surgery. I look like a lopsided squirrel who was in an altercation with a raccoon. For a bit, my eye was even swollen shut, but I can see now. I opted out of the pain meds because I am nervous about having narcotics around my son. Ibuprofen/Tylenol is working except when I miss a dose. My son is supposed to be taking care of me, but I slip his mind on the regular. I asked him to get me an ice pack about an hour ago. If I really want it, I will probably have to get it myself.

But at least I know everything at school is taken care of because I am working with the Groovy Girls this year. I mean throughout my career I have had fantastic colleagues. I have made the kind of friends that have become my forever family. Every person I have worked with has touched my life in some way, and maybe all the combined experiences have made me ready and appreciative of where I have landed–in a team of awesomeness. It is the perfect storm of creative and organized and strong and soft and fun and serious. I feel empowered by my team. I want to show up everyday and be my best. So it kind of really sucks to be dealing with gum trauma when I could be at school. For the woman who was having panic attacks a year ago with just the thought of stepping into the classroom, that’s a remarkable statement. I am so happy to be able to recognize the steps of the journey and to have gratitude for where it has lead me.

The night before my surgery, a friend of my older brother texted. She was worried that he wasn’t picking up his phone. This has to be a a hard time for him. The “firsts” after someone has died are the worst. My late sister in law’s birthday is in November and Thanksgiving was her holiday. I know my brother is still devastated and the last time I talked to him, he admitted that things were very, very bad. And even though I have been preoccupied with my mouth problems, he is never far from my mind. I don’t know how to help him with his pain. You can’t get over loss, or around it, you just have to go through it. There is another side, but getting there isn’t easy and sometimes seems impossible. Looking for the light helps me through things, but I don’t have the answers for anyone else. All I have to offer is acceptance for where he is on the journey.

I had planned on a road trip to the Gulf Coast for this Thanksgiving, but the doctor has asked me not to travel. He said I will need to check in with him next week and honestly the way I am feeling, I am not sure any kind of travel would be a good idea. So I guess it will be a vacation of rest and healing. I am starting to believe that life always gives me what I need, when I need it. So the Gulf Shore will have to wait. I will enjoy my time of rest, reach out a hand to my brother, and be grateful for this season of grace and the groovy girls.