My brain dissolves and I sink into an abyss of lethargy

I don't feel well. At all. I would feel better if I were deathly ill and on life support. This infection induced lethargy is so much worse than being actively sick. If I was suffering from Dengue Fever or Bubonic Plague I wouldn't feel like I was just being lazy. I would feel justified in lazing around on the couch all day. I simply do not do inactivity well. I have felt this way all week. Everything is too much of an effort except for one thing. It turns out that the perfect antibiotic for my malaise is...grandchildren. Yesterday I spent the day struggling to make a sandwich to say nothing of actually getting anything done. Then my daughter called and my fuzzy brain brightened as my granddaughter Eden 'read' a book to me over the phone. After their phone call, I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to be content that I had actually gotten some scanning done (even though the housework remained unfinished). Then the doorbell rang and as I struggled to get off the couch I heard tiny footsteps stomping across the hardwood floor upstairs. My step quickened slightly as I struggled up the basement steps to the main floor and as I hit the top of the stairs, a little pink and purple rocket hurtled towards me. My granddaughter, Julia, beamed up at me and I felt a little more of my lethargy evaporate. The sight of a smiling little 10 mo. old C.J. sealed the deal and for the next few hours I forgot that I was sick. I'd barely gotten my bed made in the morning but I was able to spend at least 15 minutes bouncing Julia up and down as I sat in an arm chair and pumped my legs up and down with Julia standing on my feet and squealing with glee, shaking her head from side to side to deliberately heighten her spatial disorientation. I tickled and roared and laughed, forgetting that my whole body hurt. This same phenomenon occurs every time Eden calls and I hear her sweet little voice chirping "Hi Nana! I love you!", or Autumns voice in the background chanting "Nana, Nana, Nana, Nana". I've known a number of women who insist that their grandchildren call them by their first name because they don't want to feel old. It is a common mis-belief that grandchildren are a sign that we have reached our golden years. I would refute that philosophy and say that grandchildren have a nearly magical ability to re-infuse you with energy and enthusiasm and the sound of little voices bellowing for Nana invigorates me and makes me feel ten years younger, so I may not feel up to doing the dishes, but bring on the grand kids and I can move mountains!