I have been struggling with really high pain levels for quite some time. I’m trying changes to meds and pain relief strategies. My dr has ordered some tests, but so far I have not found relief. When pain overtakes me like this I seek one thing; comfort. Here are some places I have taken refuge recently.

Alan Bennett

I was delighted to discover that Alan Bennett had released a new volume of diaries and stories. I stumbled upon Bennett in my late teens/early twenties. I saw one of his books on sale and it piqued my interest. I fell in love on the first page and have devoured his work since. His writing feels like sinking into a warm bath. His memoirs paint the picture of a kind, funny and intelligent man. He always seem to be on the write side of important issues and handles life with grace. His plays are genius. So well observed and engaging. Basically I gain a feeling of well being from immersing myself in his words. If I’m too sore to sleep at least I can get into bed with these comforting pages.

An Oldie

This one is random. I saw an advert for a streaming service that included a really old sitcom that I used to love. The sitcom is As Time Goes By, it’s an early nighties show starring Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer. The premise is an older couple reuniting after being separated for 30yrs. They were in love in their youth and lost touch via a postal accident. Both thinking the other had rejected them. They are flung back into each other’s lives and fall back in love. It’s a gentle comedy. It’s also really lovely. Second chances, fate, the one who got away all feel romantic to me. Anyway, I of course downloaded the service and binge watched the delightful lot.

Music of The Night

Pain like this is usually accompanied by insomnia & that is currently the case. Sometimes even if I can’t sleep I will try to at least lie down and rest. For this I need a dark, cool room and some soothing music. Weirdly, one of the genres that relax me is musicals. The Lloyd Webber/West End type. I’m talking ‘Music of Night’, ‘Send in The Clowns’ kind of fare. Something about all those soaring emotional notes soothes me. Thus, I may recently have been spending the wee small hours singing show tunes in the dark.

Bru Boy

Finally, there is my boy. Bru is a very snuggly cat. Like most cats he seems to sense when I am having a really hard time. He will come lie with me in bed or climb right up on my chest to comfort me. He also does a very cute head butt thing. If I ask for kiss, he headbutts my mouth. He also grants me a little grace when I’m struggling and offers no complaint when breakfast is a late. I have been extraordinarily lucky with my beautiful cat companions. I am forever grateful.

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