Today I called out "sick." Why is this in quotes? I'm not actually sick... Well, I am, but not acutely in the sense that would normally keep me out of work.
No - today, I took a sick day partially as a way to be on the medical floors one day less than I otherwise would. It's also an opportunity to help my Mother with some tasks, since she just had her procedure yesterday. She matters to me infinitely more than a single day at work.
Today I was able to help with dishes, wiping dust around the house (obviously not to my Mother's satisfaction, since she does it far better than I do - but I wanted to at least delay this task for her until she has more energy to get to it), grocery shopping, and finally changing my bedsheets which I've left unchanged for far too long (yuck!).
Calling in sick means someone had to cover my entire shift today. Normally, I would feel guilty about doing this, and in the past I have felt that exactly... but after all the coverage I recently did, the sense of guilt completely vanished. I've covered other people's shifts far more than they have covered mine, so I simply won't let myself feel guilty for taking one such day in order to get a little bit more sleep and, most importantly, help out my Mother.
This time, I've got my priorities straightened out. Family first, myself second, work third. I'll make a bit of time for myself as well, since I'm not on duty tomorrow. Sunday, I come back to work refreshed and d̶r̶e̶a̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶f̶e̶w̶ ̶h̶o̶u̶r̶s̶ ̶I̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶k̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ... I mean... ready to take on the day.