We all need to breathe.......

I am a Respiratory Therapist.... I should know this better than anyone!. But I am not talking about the ins and outs of simple ventilation. our body does that quite well....most of the time.

But this post is not about that.......

I am talking about the deep, take a moment, sigh and breathe. Feel the air filling your lungs, your brain, your soul. Now..... hold it for a moment..... and slowly.... through pursed lips exhale. feel the flow of what hurts you leave your body.

Pain can be exhaled away..... physical pain is harder than the emotional pain to disperse with a few...sometimes many.... deep life renewing breaths. But the pain can be let go...let it go..... literally ...blow it away......

This time of year we ( I ) fill my list , my day, my life.... with things to do...... mail this, cook that..... make one of that other thing. Decorate one more spot. Well...for now..... I set much of that aside. My family will not be disappointed by not getting a thoughtful gift from me.... I hope. My gift to them is a healthier me.

Yes...you all will get your calendars, and if the goodness of Mom is with us Poticas will arrive in time for Christmas morning breakfast.... if not...save it for New Years.... or better...just indulge when it does arrive !!!

But today.... amidst the hustle of literally standing in the kitchen cooking in my unpresentable self for a small gathering of friends that Ted told me surely would not arrive before 330 or 400 .... at 245 they we were walking in the door..... Now those who have been in my house know that between the kitchen and my bedroom lies the front door..... somehow I made it around without K & D seeing my undie clad ass..... but then..... a deep breath, a little black dress....some amazing Franco Sarto shoes.... and I looked fabulous and was a gracious hostess...... and we had a glorious time.

No one noticed the hamper of clean sheets waiting to be folded.... no one knew of the unmade bed in the guest room ...or complained of the unlit candles..... and me..... I didn't care.

Especially after sharing a bottle of Lachini Vineyards Pinot Noir with good friends. Ted did a fabulous job with the food..... doesn't he always....

and now..... a few deep breaths later...... I am good again.... whole..... knowing that things are going to be good..... no one will care if the calendars are a few days late, or that the Poticas are less than perfect.

The weather here continues to be atypical for Portland with highs barely reaching 30, and the lows in the 20's. We will have a White Christmas it seems.

IN..... HOLD..... OUT....... repeat....... Breathe........ feel better world.......