Non-Medicinal Onion Rings

Dear John,

 

The tree is still doing fine. I found one ornament on the floor when I got home. Not bad for the four of them being here alone all day! I just put it back on the tree.

 

I've been fighting a cold all day. I woke up in the middle of the night with a stuffy head and sore throat, and got up this morning with huge lymph nodes and lots of sneezing. I took aspirin all day, which helped a lot, and Tammy brought me an orange, bless her.

 

Father heard my confession on Sunday, and told me to be gentle with myself regarding the Nativity fast since I was sick last month. As always, he was right. I realized today that I wasn't going to be able to fight this off without eating meat. So I went next door for the big hamburger for lunch - and onion rings, which didn't have any medicinal value but were lovely - and opened a can of salmon for dinner. And I feel a bit better tonight, though my neck still looks like it belongs to a linebacker.

 

You always said I was too hard on myself, and I always felt like I was lazy and irresponsible. The truth probably lies somewhere between the two. Be assured that Father has taken up your job of telling me to be gentle with myself. I'm always surprised to hear that. But he's always right, and you usually were, too. Pray for me while I struggle to find the middle ground. And get over this cold. Maybe you should just pray for me on general principles.

 

Sneezily yours,

Joan.