A little light reading...

The word these last few days is heavy. The weight of all the snow already on the ground and the threat of a thick coating of ice to come, the load of guilt that comes from having to rely on others' kindness because of the weather, the density of a migraine that's lasted two days and is immune to remedy, and, the heaviest of all, the grief of mourning the loss of someone who hasn't yet died. How to deal with a violent change in someone once so close that has made them seem gone forever? I don't know. But I'm being forced to try, and it's unspeakably heavy.

So tonight I am determined to go to bed a little lighter, and I'm concentrating on the things that are filling my lead balloon with helium. Please indulge me as I list them...it will help me to focus on these light spots and further distract me. Maybe then I can sleep without feeling as if I am sinking into the mattress.

•  Let's start with Curious George's Discovery Beach game. My husband and I thought now would be a good time to try to teach our little one the in's and out's of rules and play, and it's been a welcome distraction from everything to plop down with a board game, even if it is built for a toddler. It's hard to feel down when you're looking for a blue octopus under a palm tree...or is it under the sailboat?
• Next there's "An Idiot Abroad". The last thing my dvr needs is another show clogging its arteries. But the first thing I need is a laugh, so guess who wins? I am grateful to Ricky Gervais for sending Karl out on his adventures. I hope he's not as miserable as his employers want him to be...
• I used to be very in-the-loop about music. Now I just rely on Jimmy Fallon to put bands in front of me so I can load them on my ipod when I have two free seconds. So thank you, Jimmy, for showing me Two Door Cinema Club. I just hope my neighbors like them, too. If not, it could be a long February for the house next door...
• I enjoy a win, especially when the loser hates a loss. So when I heard my uber-competitive coworker talk about a game app on his phone that he is trying to get through, I knew I had to beat him. I downloaded Unblock Me and my phone hasn't known what hit it. It may not be as popular as Angry Birds, but when I take my coworker down, I will feel gooooood.
• Last, but not at all least, is our Keurig coffee machine. Mommy needs her coffee. And Dunkin Donuts is very far away in an ice storm, even if it's only on the other side of the bridge.

Well, that was a happy little inventory. I can close the day a bit lighter. The weight will be back, and I will remind myself again that everything is temporary. And then I will help my little Bean and Curious George find his flippers.