Here’s what I remember (probably the only thing I remember) from high school science: Bunsen burners can burn two kinds of flame; the orange flame and the blueish, translucent flame. The blue flame is the hotter kind.
Yesterday, when the children were napping (yes, Riley’s sleeping again, thank God) and then again last night, I retreated back to my bed. After the nose blowing, the water drinking, the pillow adjusting, the body positioning, the coughing, the phlegm swallowing (gross), I was finally comfortable. The covers sealed around me, and in their warmth I retreated back into myself. My bodily discomfort became non-important. I was perfectly satisfied, in my soul. For minutes, hours, I was happy. I was alone with my thoughts, and because I was sick, and because I had taken a lot of cold and flu drugs (sweeettttt) that day, my thoughts were peppy and hilarious. I was myself, entirely.
My flame was burning blue for a change.
