"Painting with Fibro" - The New Reality Show

Dear John,

Typing hurts tonight, so just give me a call when you can. Okay?  :)

The girls will get here tomorrow, so I decided I just had to get the primer on the walls in Elyssa's room. I hadn't realized how dirty that yellow paint was. I got to thinking about it, and believe I painted it about 15 years ago. It's held up rather well, actually! I had just - and I mean just - enough primer to finish the room. I looks so much better, even without actual paint. I hope to get the curtains up after church tomorrow. We'll pick out a paint color after they get here.

This is the first time I've painted since the fibromyalgia. Everything except the end of my nose hurts. I'll take motrin at bedtime and try to concentrate on the end of my nose. I'm not sure how my arms will like directing the choir in the morning. But this is the first Sunday I've done that isn't a special feast day, so that will make it easier.

I remember our painting routine. Before you left for work you'd move all the furniture into the middle of the room and away from the walls. When you came home you'd put it all back in place. In the meantime I'd get the painting done. And you always brought dinner home, bless you! My cooking wasn't to be trusted those nights. I also remember when I wanted to get rid of the white walls. You said that you liked them that way, but you'd trust me to do something different. And I said that if you didn't like it, I'd repaint it in the original color. Then every time you saw the walls, you loved them. You got to where you couldn't stand white walls. I guess I changed you a bit, too, didn't I? I inherited my grandmother's love of color. Thank you for letting me try things, and being to open-minded about it. And so generous. And so strong - I appreciate you moving all that furniture for me!

Well, it still hurts to type, so I'll stop and wait for you to call. I wish you could - I love to have a two-way conversation. But it is good to be able to talk like this. And after all these years, I know what you'd say anyway.

So good night - I love you so, so much.

Joan.