thankfulness admist sickness

I had a bad night last night. Ear / sinus pressure / pain.  I'm so I didn't get enough sleep and had not a restful sleep. I feel like I'm more sick again. I stayed home today from liturgy. However, I sincerely and deeply thank God that I was able to go to both St. Nicholas, vespers and liturgy. That meant a lot to me.  I am really grateful.  

St Nicholas Day 2025 (part 1)

Happy St Nicholas Day!!!

2 versions of my favorite song to St Nicholas 🥰

 

A happy day!

Ps: I am getting better compared to earlier but my ears are not happy yet, still filled with fluid buildup and I am congested still. But it was still St Nicholas Day ❤️

Remembering my Oma in a beautiful Feast Day

My Oma died 14 years ago today.

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My Husband went to liturgy. I had the most peaceful nap at home since I'm still recovering from the flu. The incense that I had put earlier was so fragrant and lovely. I felt for the first time that I may get better. It's been one of those well times... And I've been sick for so long in ways if you include the complex PTSD.  

I've been reading some books that have been very enjoyable. I definitely still have a cold. But I was able to make dinner tonight. 

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God keeps giving me quotes about how our lives are exactly as best for us, so I have to trust that times of illness are part of that. 

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If I were to ask for anything I think it would be for inward peace and balance. But that will only come with growth towards Christ who is humility. So this is going to take a long time because the measure of which I wish to have is something that takes a lifetime. 

But it's also worth it because what we want the most truly is to be like Christ. And to be with Christ. Then we will have the rest, the true rest, that we so earnestly desire. 

May God help us.

God gives us what we need not what we want

Today I really feel it. The flu for me I guess is like a really bad cold that came really suddenly out of nowhere. 

Thanksgiving is a very important part of healing, so here's my Thanksgiving list. 

1. I have lots of yummy healing tea 

2. Kombucha 

3. Chicken noodle soup that I added broth to from fresh direct 

4. When I'm sick I especially like English muffins with peanut butter and honey. 

5. I was able to order (yesterday) soup, English muffins, citrus, and such things for today that came before noon. 

6. I watched once again my favorite Christmas movie called Christmas Angel. 

7. A warm home. It's a cold, rainy gray day today outside. 

I'm so grateful that I have my husband and a home and everything I could ever want really. 

So far my husband isn't sick but we'll see if he manages to escape this flu. 

May God have mercy on us all.

I liked this about Seasons and Resting (seen on social media)

Note: while it could be that this was really a story told by an old man on a Subway in a city, I'm a bit jaded about such things. As in who knows. But nonetheless, even though it's lovely slides on social media, that may or may not be from a true source as in I am suspicious of such things. I say that without checking out the social media account or their links. Also, the old man drawn in these slides has three different types of hair and sometimes has a hat and sometimes doesn't. And the young man has a different suit in different slides. So you can see my point there. For all I know this could be an AI only account. So that said, the message is still quite applicable and I really like it. So I'm sharing it here. Forgive me if the said social media finds themselves here and upset because it's a true story. I wouldn't know since I don't know the account nor do I see a source listed on the slides themselves. 

It was good food for thought though. It was only a social media account that was shown as a possible one for me to follow and is not one that I follow. However, you can screenshot anything you see. 

Which is how I got these slides and I'm now sharing them with you. I assume I'm not breaking any copyright in doing so. I'm certainly not intending that. 

Speaking of copyright, at some point in the future when God allows, I hope to research that question. It's part of my writing project. 

But right now obviously with the flu my body is saying REST my dear REST. 

As Christmas is coming before we know it both first and second in my experience/lived life I.e December 25 and January 7th. I have every intention on trying to do everything I can so that I'm not sick on either Christmas. 🙏 

Actually, I hope I'm better by this Saturday which is Saint Nicholas Day part 1.  Which includes Friday night vespers 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

how you find out you have the flu, NYC edition

 

{posted to social media earlier today} 

AKA the Health Adventures of Elizabeth 

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How Elizabeth's day is going

1. I am going to be organized and talk with doctor and forget nothing. 

2.Very fun CART. 

3. Doctor appointment great no COVID or strep. 

4. Before I leave my doctor returns: I just tested POSITIVE for FLU. 

5. Still in NYC: reschedule ENT. 

6. Order soup and other supplies from Fresh Direct for tomorrow. 

7. Call pharmacy 2x confirm tamiflu script and that they will deliver it. 

8. Wear TWO masks from the doctor's office for the trip home, praying that I didn't make my Lyft driver sick or anyone else. 

9. Write this. 

10. Post from PATH TRAIN 9th Street Station. 

11. Ask for prayers

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Missed my stop. I didn't have lunch because I didn't know that I had the flu since I have been sick since October. So no diner lunch.

Rescheduled ENT. Still not home

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How to get sick, NYC version 

Have NO CLUE that you actually have the flu. 

Go to doctor and find out that you have the flu. 

Go home by 2 trains wearing 2 surgical masks because [you are] worried that you will give flu to others. 

Buy smoothie, call in advance and pay at door with cash because of flu paranoia of spreading it to my favorite cafe workers. 

Go home. 

Make soup. 

Texted blessing for chicken soup already obtained. 

Make herbal tea. admire floating elderberry plant for tea/health because it looks like little abstract stars floating... 

Enjoy the soup tea and smoothie 

***

After this, prepare a blog post. 

Text closest friends. 

Find out two of my best friends have the flu also 

and prayers for their Mom who is immunocompromised with cancer treatments {edited to add my friend's Mom not mine}

Get out tamiflu.  Think.  Google: Do I need to take tamiflu with food? A1 says YES, will help with nausea.  Make toast.  Pray that I will NOT have nausea as it's NO FUN. 

Finish this blog post before the toast is toasted and medicine taken. 

I feel SO SPOILED because: 

1. good medical care 

2. medicine delivery

3. grocery delivery. 

4. money for smoothie not made *by* me full of veggies and fruit.  

5. I don't have to worry about missing work.  

My toast is now toasted....

Prayers Requested.