It started with Bill’s water.
Naturally. So many things in this house start with Bill.
I keep a glass of water beside my bed for him, and I was cleaning it and getting him fresh water while I slowly got ready for bed.
I had felt sluggish all day. Uncomfortable in my body, a little unmotivated, just dragging. I had gone to improv and moved around, then come home and done a few things around the house.
Now I was winding down.
I had heard of blessing water and speaking loving intentions over it, and while I was filling Bill’s glass, I decided to try it.
“I love you. I love you. You do so much good.”
It felt really good to say.
And then I thought, well, hey. I have my own bottle of water right here.
So I started talking to that one, too. Telling it I loved it. Feeling grateful that I had clean water to drink and something so simple available to help care for my body.
There I was, getting ready for bed, giving a bottle of water a pep talk.
And enjoying myself.
I drank some, lay down, and listened to a moon meditation I had been playing in the living room. Later, when my stomach started cramping and I went to the bathroom, I placed one hand on my lower belly and one on my upper abdomen and breathed deeply.
I stayed there for a while. It was uncomfortable. Eventually, I felt relief.
At the time, I was so excited about the whole experience. The water, the loving words, the meditation, the breathing. It all felt connected.
I cannot tell you what caused the physical relief. What I can tell you is how it felt to spend those moments caring for myself.
I had slowed down enough to notice my body. I had offered it something gentle. I had taken a little everyday task and filled it with gratitude.
That is the part I keep coming back to.
I spend so much time thinking about what my body needs next. What to eat, what to drink, what to do. That night, I paused long enough to appreciate something I was already giving it.
Water. Rest. A little attention.
And some very enthusiastic “I love yous.”
I loved how that felt. I loved bringing a little tenderness into the end of my day.
Bill got his fresh water. I drank mine. And for a few quiet minutes, I felt grateful to be taking care of us both.
