Weeping May Endure for the Night...

Today as I was making my way across the kitchen preparing my second breakfast (an item for the "pros" column of physical therapy), I was struck by the realization that feeling was beginning to return to my backside.  Although I have learned the painful truth that regenerating nerves can be a synonym for torture, the reflexes of potty humor kicked in and made this a hilarious moment as I envisioned the focus of this particular episode of burning pins and needles.  Alone in the kitchen I laughed,  and as I continued the process of toasting my english muffin, the reflection might have been forgotten if not for the next moment.  When the toaster freed my snack for the protein-rich Nutella topping, my hand hovered over the roll of paper towels and then paused.  I turned to walk the length of the kitchen again to the corner cupboard and I took an extra fifteen  seconds to pull a bisque colored square plate from the bottom of the stack.  And at that moment, with the deliberate selection of an item for pure aesthetics, I realized the pattern:  I am happy.

It's true.  Today I am brimming with effervescent, giddy happiness.  It is not the deep, solid, theologically grounded contentment of joy -- nothing so mature.  I just chortled merrily in the kitchen "thank you! -- thank you!-- thank you!"
There is no discernible reason for this rush of emotion, and I should know because I have tried to find one.  The weather holds intermittent sun -- but it is cold and we have had intermittent sun before.  My left arm is still riddled with the normal level of discomfort and my right ankle is too stiff to swivel.  Incredulity even led me to investigate the side effects of my nighttime pain medication, reading through the tedious forum of complaints and praises without finding mention of a single positive resultant emotion.  The conclusion is that there is no explanation but "thank you! -- thank you! -- thank you!"

Tomorrow I may sense the weariness of this uphill climb draping its grayness over my mood, but I feel now as if I have caught the exhilarating first whiff of Spring with all of its intoxicating promise.
Today it is a heady relief to be happy.

"To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:  'What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?  Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!'  You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,  that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!"  Psalm 30:8-12