I skipped ballet.
Because some days, your body doesn't feel well, and your head doesn't feel well, and it seems that the world doesn't feel well either.
It's days like these when you need some time away from the mirrors and away from the barre and away from the 6 degree weather.
So you send your teacher a nice email, brave the freezing air, and take the long trip home
And you whip up something fragrant and banana-based and pop it in the oven
and you take a hot shower, where you wash off your makeup
(and use an uncalled-for amount of conditioner).
And you think and you pray
a lot.
And then you breathe.
And put on some tall socks
and let the rosy water drip out of your hair
as the smell of something lovely in the oven fills the room
and Etta James' voice hums on in the background like the slow drizzle of amber honey.
And now you're pretty sure your head is securely on your shoulders again and the world seems kinder. And after two hours, you feel you've been restored to sanity.
And you're ready to get back to work.
And the prospect of facing the coming weeks becomes a bright and sun-shiny thought.
