Dear Liza,
I got sick in the summer of 2025, and it has been a very educational experience.
First, I have learned that recovering isn’t a one-shot deal. After coming down with a nasty case of “face shingles” in France, I was really sick for a month or so, rarely leaving my room and seeing almost no one. During that time, I was grateful for pain medication and sleep.
I was moderately impaired for another few months, when I learned to be grateful for slow walks around the block and art projects online with Ruthie Inman. I also learned that I was grateful for being able to cook dinner! After being such an invalid, being validated was a cause for gratitude.
And finally, I have been getting stronger for the last year. This has lasted the longest and has been, so far, the most challenging, gratitude-wise. Being well enough to WANT to do projects, hikes, and activities is very different from being ABLE to do them. I often start adventures and poop out half way through, or have an hour long ZOOM call with you and need to go lay down.
It is hard to feel grateful for feeling like a tired old lady.
But, as I now know, there are far worse options.
Love,
Grandma Judy
