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Crashing, Burning & a Little Leprosy

I had big plans for Saturday: lead Sidewalk Sunday School, take Joan shopping, clean the bathroom, vacuum the carpet, do the laundry, and finish my report cards. Pft.

As you likely know, I haven’t been sleeping well. Despite that fact, I chose to stay up late Friday night (to watch TV of all things) and get up early Saturday. Saturday mornings I run a children’s ministry, and afterwards I almost always take my former neighbor, Joan, grocery shopping. I managed both those things today. Joan was even sobber so helping her wasn’t a chore.

When I got home I put my own groceries away. The last thing I put away was a box of Kleenex for my bedside shelf. As I stretched across the bed (the only way to get to the other side of the room in my 8’x8′ bedroom) a sunbeam hit me. My eyes closed and I was out like a light.

I woke three hours later at 3:45 p.m. and spent the rest of the evening groggy and listless. I have the feeling I could have slept for several more hours — but I wouldn’t let myself. I need to catch up on my rest, but I don’t want to turn my days and nights around.

The best part of my Saturday was Sidewalk Sunday School. I taught a Bible lesson on the ten lepers. I was trying to explain to the kids what leprosy is. I said, “Imagine you didn’t have any feeling in your body, and you didn’t know your body parts were falling off until you saw that they were gone. You’d reach to tie your shoe, and discover your finger had fallen off. You’d try to put on earrings, and realize your ear was gone. You’d sneeze, and your nose would fly off ….”

“Oh! I get it!” Serenia exclaimed, “Like Michael Jackson!”

Quilly is the pseudonym of Charlene L. Amsden, who lives on The Big Island in Hawaii. When she is not hanging out with Amoeba, she is likely teaching or sewing. Or she could be cooking, taking photographs, or even writing. But if she's not doing any of that, she's probably on Facebook or tinkering with her blog.

21 Comments

  1. Well, we did both sleep Saturday away! Despite a lifetime in the Baptist church, nobody ever told me what leprosy felt like. Worthy of Stephen King that description Quilly!

  2. Told you. Listen to your bod. Get sleep. Get caught up on it. We’ll wait.

    The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant begins with a compelling description of a person suffering from leprosy. It also, unfortunately, has a compelling description of that person’s response to a release from leprosy. The sexual consequences in particular. I didn’t get far in the story – I’m in no need of that sort of entertainment.

  5. OK

    I was with you until the Michael Jackson quote from Serenia. Explain to the dumb !!

    Stopping by to let you know I’ve added a post to My Dad’s Trains. Thought you’d enjoy another trip down Memory Lane, and a chance to see “The Old Fart” as “The Young Fart”

    Blessed Sunday wished for you

  6. OC — I didn’t have any choice but to listen to my body — it took over and shut off. Thanks for the link, I think I’ll skip those novels, too.

    Polona — she cracked us all up.

    Bazza — when pop culture and Biblical culture combine in the heads of children, strange connections are made.

    Bill — Jackson has had so many surgeries, he is not healing properly and a rumor tabloid once printed that his nose is in danger of falling off.

  7. Gee, here it comes, the cycle thing. Naps when you are young, and then naps when you are…..older. 🙂 I remember being in my 20’s and NEVER taking a nap, even if I was falling asleep on my feet. Just didn’t want to WASTE any time asleep. Now I love to take naps! And my nurse friend told me that you cannot ‘catch up’ on sleep you’ve lost – but I swear you can!

  8. Jackie — I have been sleep deprived for days. My body just went into crsh and burn mode. And I’ve heard that one can’t “replace” lost sleep, but if that is true, then why does my body do the crash and burn thing? Between last night and yesterday’s nap, I got 123 hours sleep — that’s something I only do after I’ve been sleep deprived. Usually I am content with about 7 hours per night.

  9. I am so glad you have gotten some sleep. The comment about Jackson was hillarious. Crack out the bondo. LOL

  12. Dr. John — thank you, I try to give them the freedom they need to express themselves. And you should be tired! It’s getting late on your end of the continent.

  13. LOLOL @Serenia!! That is too cute.

    I hope you are catching up on your sleep. Maybe that nap did you some good after all. Are you feeling better yet? I’m thinking about you.

    btw: I may have exciting/good news in a few days. I’ll let you know.

  15. Your children never cease to amaze, amuse, confound me. Smart kids LOL.
    Sleep? That’s all I want to do this time of year…
    ::sigh::

  16. DaBich — yeah — I got the light bulbs that simulates sunlight. I am part plant and need my “rays.” Still, not even sunlight can make up for missed zzzz’s.

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