Double comeback: Post divorce and #Bronchitis2013 with my college pal Stephanie on Bourbon Street.
This morning, I opened up Skype and typed to my book author partner, “Are you ready for some coughing?”
Like he had a choice. Welcome to Day 6 of what I’m calling #Bronchitis2014. It’s different from #Bronchitis2013 in that on this year’s Day 2, I had TV cameras from the CBS Evening News* follow me around the supermarket for a segment on inflation and families.
Because when you wake up with a fever, you put on makeup and a bright sweater as a diversion, and head to the meat department with a camera crew in tow.
This is not “taking it easy” as my doctor, who had prescribed antibiotics for me last week, suggested. That came over the weekend when I slept a lot, watched the Olympics on TV, and made it to Jr. Gemstalker level through a ridiculous number of games of Bejeweled.
And now, the comeback. Always the comeback. I can’t even count how many comebacks I’ve had, big and small, from illnesses and injuries, both physical and emotional. Each one has its own backstory and its own goal, tailored to my energy, my time, and my situation. Each one makes me who I am:
The first time I was able to eat dinner with both hands after holding and consoling a colicky baby every night for months.
The first time I walked (shuffled, really) up the hill to go to my neighbor’s house after six months of cancer treatments.
The first time I remembered I couldn’t drop by to visit my Aunt Nancy after she’d passed too young.
The first solid food after the stomach flu, the first fall weekend after my soccer coaching career ended, the first sink I snaked after my ex moved out.
The first song to play on my iPod after I left divorce court: “Carry On” by Fun.
People call me a “survivor,” and that’s true, but aren’t we all, really? Because life is a series of everyday comebacks, big and small, from illnesses and injuries both physical and emotional. It’s how you handle the comebacks that makes you who you are.
Camera crew optional.
*Watch the CBS Evening News this weekend to see how well I can cover up bronchitis with concealer and blush.
Hi Jen! Long time no read! It’s Andrea from Good Housekeeping. I had the sex column, you had the mom column. It was wacky and nutty and more fun than 10 cats in a litter box. Just saying howdy. I’m about to update my blog and in doing so I started poking around old buddies. I hope you are well. I didn’t know about the divorce until now, but I have little doubt you are thriving and on to amazing things. Thinking of you. Andrea
One of my friends gave me a coffee mug (when I was going through my divorce) that said, “Life is all about how you handle Plan B.”
Hope you get some rest, though, and that your bronchitis clears up soon.
Hi Jen – I LOVE this article! YES YES life is a series of come-backs ! Persistence, endurance strength and love! and You keep on keeping’ on, girlfriend! Love, Kathy