Rumbles of thunder and gentle rain drops wakened me this morning, and since there was nothing on my calendar calling my name I was able to pull the sheet over my head and hibernate for an extra little while. It's been a helluva week, and my emotions have been billowed about like a kite in a windstorm. I feel desperately in need of time to calm down. So I took the morning for myself. It was raining so the dogs didn't expect a walk, no telephones rang with news (good or bad), and I sat on the couch for a long while with a book and coffee, enjoying the silence and solitude. How lucky I am, I thought to myself, to have this bit of time to recover.
One of the best parts of my exercise routine is the "recovery period," when the aerobic portion is over and the pace slows down to allow the heart rate to return to normal. I feel so energized at that point, physically and emotionally, because I've put in the effort to do something good for me, taken the time to make my body healthier and more fit. The tough part is over, and I can enjoy reveling in this cooling down period.
Today begins that recovery process in the wake of my uncle's death. The worst is over, and now those of us left behind have to take a few cleansing breaths and go on with life. For me, recovery always involves quiet time, solitude, being at home with my familiy, my dogs, books, music. I hope to take lots of walks, to fill out my flower garden with pink and white impatiens, to finish reading Prayers for Sale. If I feel particularly brave, I might venture out for coffee, ride my bike to First Cup, where I noticed that Amy has put out the wrought iron tables with their cheery red canvas umbrellas. Most of all, I want to give my heart and soul some space to heal, for this loss was unexpectedly hurtful. Come Monday, perhaps I will have become more settled into this process we call grieving.
Allright then, let the recovery begin...
How about you? How do you recover from trauma and sadness? What's the recovery process like for you?