Beginning to See the Light

Spring arrived today.  And although I've heard she will not be staying with us long, she graced us with her presence just long enough to awaken hope in our hearts (and to cause us to let body parts see the light of day that have spent the last 4 months in sweaters and long underwear and ski pants).  To honor our short-term guest, I tried to spend as much time outside as possible today.  Unfortunately, my day started when my alarm went off at 3:48 this morning, so by the time I got home from work around noon, I really needed a nap.  Statistically, my best naps happen in my bed.  Realistically, the sun might not come back for weeks.  Inconveniently, the only window in my room did not have any sun coming through it at this particular time of day.  So, what did I do?  I put on some warmer clothes, grabbed a blanket and pillow, and headed for the gliding rocker bench on our front porch.  I curled myself up, and was in a semi-conscious state in no time.  It was not the best nap I've had, and I only lasted for about an hour, but I loved that I was trying to be present in my world and take care of my needs all at the same time.  What I didn't love was the blinding headache I woke up with.  There's just something about sunlight and my eyes that don't match up very well.  Even when my eyes are completely closed, I can still "see" the light.  I'm sure there are ways to avoid this (sun glasses, for one, but being a glasses-wearer, sun glasses and I don't get along either), but for the most part it's true that I can't spend the afternoon in the sun and walk away unscathed.  It made me sad to think about the ways that my body is not made to handle light and sun, which are two of the things that make my soul absolutely soar.  It is yet another reminder that this world is broken- that which should give us life can also bring us great pain.  I'm looking forward to the day when I can stand to see the light.