Dear Secret Diary, My Orange Recipe

Dear Secret Diary,

As I walked to my car in the pouring rain, my pants got completely soaked. I’m sure that wasn’t good for me because there’s that almost-got-a-cold feeling inside my body.

It was a long drive, but the vision of a calm respite loomed ahead beckoning me home.

Acting like a woman gone mad, I stripped off my clothes as I walked from the front door to the shower. Turning the knob full blast, I stepped into the steamy heat letting it cascade down my aching muscles. Why does a body get so worn down?

Thoughts of work, people, undone chores, responsibilities began to leave my mind.

The foggy steam began to fill the bathroom.

Overcome with the heat, I was forced to relax as I remembered younger days when energy oozed from every cell of my body. Oh to be that young again and filled with abounding hope and the wisdom I have accumulated.

With the water trickling down my neck, I closed my eyes and willed myself to not be sick and then I sneezed. My will isn’t that strong any more. I’ve lost so much of my oomph and I miss it. Now this overwhelming feeling of “not well” is taking over my body.

The steamy fog was so thick that everything in the bathroom started dripping moisture, so I turned off the shower and dried off with a big fluffy, white towel. Burying my face in the thickness reminded me of Mom and the wonderful mother she has been. My clothes were always ironed, delicious food prepared for each meal and the laundry always smelled clean and slightly like her perfume.

I miss those simpler days where responsibilities were few and far between.

Stepping into my olive green pajamas, thick socks and fluffy slippers I headed for the kitchen. There was only one thing I wanted and that was my Orange Concoction for Sickness.

Fill a microwave safe measuring cup or mug with 1 cup of orange juice.

Add 1- 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Add the juice of 1/2 a lemon.

To cut the sharp twang, add 1- 4 teaspoons of luscious honey.

Stir. Place in a microwave for about 2 minutes or until very hot. Stir well and serve.

Wrapped in a huge blanket, I lounged on the couch sipping my Orange Concoction for Sickness. The warmth permeated from the inside out and the outside in.

Closing my eyes, I vowed only to remain still for just a few more minutes. Languishing in the quiet peacefulness and healing warmth, I contemplated how quickly life is moving and at times, it feels that it is going on without me.

Dear Secret Diary, why does time go by so fast? It seems that with each day I find another part of my body that is aging. Can this really be happening to me? I’m still young inside this flesh and bones. Can’t you stop time for just a little while my dear Secret Diary?

The thoughts melded into the warmth that permeated from my body and I drifted into a very sound sleep.