on why a small component of my present reality is dumb while most of it remains awesome.

This is dumb.

I've been looking forward to coming home for this glorious stretch of three weeks that have nothing whatsoever to do with a leotard or heels or a 5, 6, 7, 8! and well, the fact that I am now laying in bed with a 100 degree fever, all hot and heavy and sporting a case of under-the-weather-edness that makes my limbs feel like more than I could ever lift and my body all achy is just plain dumb.

And I guess the fact that I just taught an hour long Pilates class didn't exactly help, either; but hey, if I have to feel feverish right now, at least my abs are feeling flatter at the same time, so thank you for that, Joseph Pilates.

Because abs are what you care about most when you're laying in bed, flicking off imaginary spiders, your skin is crawling so much.

But the fact that I have been feeling progressively worse throughout the day cannot take away some of the simple and lovely things that remind me why I love home.

The husband who sleeps beside me, and sends me a text first thing in the morning instead of, you know, actually using his voice and speaking to the person who is literally inches away from him. And not just any text, either: googly eyes. Cartoon-style. With a question mark following, his way of asking me if I am, in fact, awake.

My text back?

Zzz

Because no, Drew Copeland, I was not awake yet; my eyes were firmly and contentedly shut--at least they were until I was forced to open them and gaze upon the googly eyes you just sent my way. Oh, and if Journey blares from your alarm clock one more time, well then, let's just say that anyway you want it will not be happening for you any time soon.

My three year old nephew, running at full-tilt-boogie on chubby sneakers that are delightfully called froggies and that house even chubbier feet as they cross the distance from his momma into my arms.

A gaggle of nieces, all hilarious and pretty and full of a wonder I hope they never lose, enfolding me in a group hug, causing all of our brown eyes to light up.

Another nephew sitting close beside me as we watch Fern Gully; I am now forever grateful that acid rain does not, to my knowledge, actually take the form of some shadowy Elvis impersonator and wreak havoc on our lives.

Working through another song with Drew, his fingers finding the chords on the guitar that keep pace with my melody and lyrics.

My parents. Always ready and happy to see me, to welcome me home, to keep me assured of the things that matter most like family, love, humor, God, green things growing, dogs that look like magical creatures, and cherry tomatoes (or so my pop would say).

And of course, throw in some brothers and some gorgeous sisters, and really, it doesn't get much better than this, as homecomings go.

Okay, well maybe it would be better if I weren't feeling sick as a dog, but still. I'm home...which outweighs anything else at the moment.