I recently had COVID and you may think I’m crazy, but I loved every minute of it. Well, most minutes. How could this dreaded and feared virus be so wonderful?
One day in early December, a giant hand reached down from the sky and switched on my off button, pulled the plug, and disconnected me from the busy, outside world. The weather was crisp, cold, and frozen and I slid to a hard stop. Every afternoon, sleep would lure me to my warm and cozy bed. The heavenly bed with the soft flannel sheets, an electric blanket, down comforter, fluffy pillows, and a lavender sachet by my pillow. Sleep wooed me. I’d sink deeper and deeper into relaxation and was overcome with a feeling of reassurance, safety, and comfort. Never before had I felt deep relaxation like this. Sleep fed me with nourishment, restoration, and joy. I had nothing to fear. All was well. Sometimes I would wonder if my deceased cat was with me; there she was curled up below my knees like she always did. Shakespeare says that “Sleep is nature’s soft nurse”. Yes, definitely.
When my off switch wasn’t on, I was slow. For a while I had two speeds: slow and stop. The excuse to dial back my activities and enjoy the winter’s still hibernation liberated me. I kept the window cracked open and my bedroom filled with cool crisp fresh air. I took a lot of big, deep breaths and felt fullness in my spirit. I didn’t want to eat much so I made a lot of smoothies. One day the smoothie would be dark orange ‒ made with fresh cranberries, persimmons and pineapple. The next, green: parsley, celery, kiwi, ginger, lime, and bananas. My friend John, who is a compounding pharmacist, suggested I add in some vitamin C powder and quercetin, a bioflavonoid known to strengthen the body. These drinks were vibrant and refreshing. They gave me confidence that my body had the true nourishment necessary to heal.
There wasn’t anything I could do about coming down with COVID – I had it. Why not fully embrace and enjoy the ride? This slowdown was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to completely dropout and be free from the to-do list, the tasks of daily living, socializing, working, and exercising. All forward movement was gone. The standstill of life was emptiness, surrender, and peace. Delicious!
I slowly regained my energy and now I don’t need to wake up at 9:30, go to bed early, and sleep all afternoon. I’m restored and renewed. I drew deep from the well. I look back on that experience and happily savor it. That is why for me COVID was pleasurable. And yes, I just might be crazy!