Finally Over

Months of stress, headcaches, and angst have come to an end. This past Saturday was my best friend's wedding. The drive there was peaceful enough, the ceremony was tortuous (Catholics really seemed determined to make you suffer to attend your loved one's matrimonial proceedings), the reception was OK, and every building involved was at least 80 degrees or higher. Not fun environs when wearing pounds upon pounds of wool around your waist, an undershirt, a dress shirt, a tie, and a coat. Ugh. I was swimming in my clothes before I even got to the bar. But the lovely young bartender mixed the LITs strong, so the day became survivable. We drove home after it all, bathed, and collapsed in the air-conditioned safety of our home.

I feel as if I have swum from the bottom of the ocean, lungs bursting for air, chest caving in from the pressure of the water, only to finally breach the surface and be able to breathe again. I want to laugh, weep, scream, and yell. I want to collapse in exhaustion. I want to dance a jig. I want to relax. I want to move. I want to withdraw. I want to go out. I want to be numb. I want to feel pain.

Mostly, I just want to spend time with my friends and family. To decompress from the hell this summer has been. To eat, drink, and be merry, for I never know if I will have another tomorrow.