The stresses created by these social factors should not be overlooked. Christmas coincides with the end of school terms. Workplaces close for days, a week, or more. Family visits are paid and returned. Childrens programs, whether they be in the performing arts or sports or charity-driven, abound. Performances must be rehearsed and costumes sewn, parts practiced and lines memorized. Remember how jarring the piano practice in "It's a Wonderful Life" was to George Bailey while he was trying to talk to his wife, Mary?
One of the best mothers in the business, a woman I know who probably secretly has an invisible plane and a golden lasso, reported recently that in taking her four boys to school on a Monday morning, they had forgotten a total of one lunch, one teachers gift, and two backpacks. Sounds like some Mondays I can remember from when my kids were growing up, and I only had two.
It's no wonder this is the ideal time for colds and flu; we're smack up against each other and smack up against all that stress, too.
So that's kind of a long way round to say thank you for bearing with me while I was taking my turn in forced hibernation. The stomach flu is a high price to pay to grab some extra rest, but I'm a lot luckier than many and way better off than Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. I can't feature spending nine months going through what she's going through.
Tune in tomorrow for scripture and reflections. Peace. And remember your flu shot.
Photo Credit: Roger Scaglia
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