I suppose it could be considered reassuring that the earth keeps whirling which makes dark and light alternate in surrounding us, and while a person may be knocked flat for a while, Life just keeps chugging along and the flattened aren't allowed to litter up the side of the road indefinitely.

And so, while I'd have to admit that between being trash-compacted and having the Plague snare me I did no better than limp through the holidays, with the New Year I will sweep myself into a cohesive heap and rejoin the Life parade again.  I'm packing Stella off to an emotional oasis--a visit to see her boyfriend in her college town.  She's got three weeks between semesters and I've loved having her here.   The dynamics of our mother-daughter team have shifted and she and I both take care of each other now.  She can definitely use a break from mothering me and Minneapolis holds the TLC that she really wants.  She'll be back in a few days, as ever torn between wanting to be here with family and wanting to be in Minneapolis with J.

I think I'll be able to concentrate on clearing up a few holiday loose ends.  I want to write a few belated holiday notes to people who are important to me and start putting away holiday things that I only remember seeing when I put them around the house.  I missed a lot of Christmas this year!

And that's why I'm taking a couple days off of work instead of going back when I should.  I don't want to be there for everyone's post-break rapturous accounts of perfect holiday bliss.  I'm not  a good enough actress to be part of it and I'm going to give my fakey smiley face the days off, too.  By Monday the job will keep our attention and if nothing else, I give the job its due.