I am exhausted.   I went out last night with a friend who I hadn’t seen in quite awhile.  She had come to a liberating realization of late and wanted to share it with me.  I feel honored that she felt so comfortable with me to share her revelation.

As we talked, we also ate.  And drank. And talked some more.   Before I knew it, it was 12:30 a.m. and we were closing down a popular bar.  I hadn’t heard a “last call” since probably my 20’s.  In fact at one point, I asked them what was going on.  Go, showing my age.

Another thing that showed my age: waking up this morning after a mere three and a half hours of sleep.  Now back in the day, I could party till the wee hours, get a couple hours’ sleep and be fully functional the next day.   Today, however, is pretty rough.  I awoke with red eyes, a dull ache in my head and a feeling of pure exhaustion, rivaled only by my insatiable thirst.   I briefly toyed with the notion of calling in sick and spending the day in bed, but that damn work ethic in me pulled my tired body out of bed and on to the tasks of the day.   I’ve been fairly productive at work, although now, at almost 3:00 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, my mind is calling it quits for the week.   My weeks are demanding enough without a “party like your 25” night like last night.  I’m simply ready to go home and put on some comfortable sweats and watch a good movie until I drift off to what I know will be a great night’s sleep.

And this brings me to my joy for today.  I had a great evening with a friend whom I haven’t seen in quite awhile.   The fog that lingers in my head and the tiredness in my bones is small penance for reconnecting with an important person in my life.  Today at work I had a nice break chatting and laughing with someone who is dear to me beyond words.   The workday is almost over and I look forward to a relaxing evening, the pressures of the week behind me, and the promise of a free couple of days ahead of me.   I count this all joy.  I love my life.