A Day In Bed

Written by Georgia Williams

First published in Moxie Summer/Fall 2008

Oh bed!  Oh bed!  Oh delicious bed! That heaven on earth to the weary head. (Thomas Hood)

I love my bed!  It’s my favorite place to be.  So it was nothing short of a miracle when, on a recent weekend, I got to stay in it for an entire day.  Twenty-four glorious hours!

I wasn’t sick…I didn’t feel bad.  In fact, I felt great!  It was Saturday morning and I woke up and realized – I had nothing to do!  I’ve been raising a husband and five kids for over thirty years, and the day I’d been dreaming of had finally arrived.  No one needed me. I could do whatever I wanted!  So naturally, I stayed in bed!

I slept as long as I could.  When I was finally fully awake, I grabbed the remote and clicked the TV on.  I started watching “America’s Next Top Model,” one of my daughter’s favorite shows.  I’d never seen it before, but it looked interesting.  Young, beautiful women were competing for a modeling contract.  They were learning about life and pursuing a dream.  By the third episode, I realized that this was a marathon, but it was too late.  I was hooked.  I’m embarrassed to admit that I spent the next ten hours watching!

And I had the time of my life!  When I got hungry, I ordered pizza delivery.  Do you know how delicious pizza is when you’re eating it curled up in bed?  Feeling productive after eating, I gathered up my manicure tools and favorite polish.  I gave myself a manicure, and a long overdue pedicure.

My husband came in to check on me throughout the day.  He never once made me feel guilty for my self-indulgence.  Several times during the day, one or more of my kids stopped in to curl up next to me and watch…and talk.

When the marathon ended, I pulled out a few favorite magazines and read all the articles I hadn’t had time to read before.  Finally, exhausted, I turned out the lights and slept for ten hours!

My husband was already up when I woke up the next morning.  “You look fantastic!” he exclaimed when I went in to greet him.  I felt fantastic!  I felt like America’s next top model!  I felt like America’s next top wife, mother, and human being.  I was refreshed and renewed.

I can’t wait for my next day in bed!  What will you do with yours?