It’s been a tough week, y’all. I literally just remembered it was Sunday about an hour ago. I wrote about it last week, but my dad had an aortic valve replacement surgery on Tuesday, and it was extremely stressful. I developed full-body hives last Saturday, and have been dealing with those ever since. I was able to get a prescription to help with it, and they’re starting to fade now. But suffice it to say: it’s been a very stressful time.
My dad’s surgery went very well (thank god), he’s recovering as expected, and he feels great, or at least as well as he did pre-surgery. I’m extremely grateful! I’ve been spending a lot of time with him this week, cooking for him, driving him places until he gets cleared to drive again, and making sure he doesn’t try to go too hard too fast. It’s been a long time since we’ve spent this much time together, and it’s actually been really nice. My dad and I have always been close, but the older you get, the less time you spend with your parents, and opportunities like this don’t come around every day. So I’m very grateful to have this time.
I’ve gotten some extra time with my mom lately as well. She came to visit me and see the new(ish) house last Sunday, and then she came to sit with me in the hospital during my dad’s procedure as well. I didn’t really want to be there alone, but I have never been good at asking for support, so I was very thankful that she offered to come be with me. I’m grateful too for every friend who’s checked in on me and on my dad this week. It’s so important to have a support system during times like these, and I’ve got a pretty good one.
I’ve found myself really struggling with my mental health this week, with everything going on, and it’s been difficult to remain positive. I’m all about letting difficult things be difficult, and I’m very opposed to toxic positivity, but I could use a little non-toxic positivity this week, so here’s a list of things that make me happy.
Going for walks outside
The smell of lilacs in the springtime
That little kick girls do when they’re showing you their outfit on TikTok
The smell, taste, and ritual of making coffee in the morning
The ease of being around people you’ve known forever and are very comfortable with
Petrichor (the smell of the earth after it rains). Both the word and the smell.
When my nephew calls me to quiz me on math problems I can’t do or tell me about roman numerals or the Russian alphabet or whatever his current hyper fixation is.
Taylor Swift’s music. There’s a song for every single mood! My favorites vary by day, but here’s a playlist of all of her five-star songs (in MY opinion).
Being home alone
Finding a new author I really love
Summer produce, particularly peaches, blueberries, cherries, snap peas, and sweet corn
Diet Coke
Thunderstorms
Clearing all my notifications
Mezcal margaritas
Getting three or more laugh reacts on something I said in the group chat
This particular candle that I can’t find in the U.S. because America is bad and hates me, specifically
Meerkats
Watching Jeopardy with my dad
Puzzles!
The look my boyfriend gives me when his dad brings up yet again that he should have pitched that last game in high school
All the apple-flavored foods that come out in the fall
Nigerian accents
Anthropologie icon juice glasses
Fresh flowers in the morning sunlight
New Trader Joe’s products
Mrs. Meyer’s tomato vine scented cleaner
Drunk girls in bar bathrooms
Freshly laundered bedding
My mom’s chicken noodle soup
Season 2 of Fleabag
Getting a coffee from a local spot
People who don’t let go first when you hug them
Okay, I feel better now. Here’s to a better week this week!
Glad the week is behind you! I need to try that tomato cleaner. And thanks for teaching me the word petrichor.
I am glad your dad is recovering ok! Season 2 of Fleabag was so good. An affair with a priest? Hell yes. I also like when people hug you FOR REAL.