The difference a cold makes

I have been so looking forward to this holiday season. I'm going to be seeing some friends and family who I haven't seen in over a year. It all starts this week and I've been preparing for it for months. I've been actively excited and anticipating the get-togethers, the catch-up conversations, the drinks, the sharing, the gift-swapping, all of it for weeks. Now that it's here, about to kick-off tomorrow, I'm apathetic. Three days ago I woke up with a head cold. I've been struggling to breathe, it's taken extra effort to think clearly through my pounding head and I can barely talk without pain or a coughing fit. I know somewhere deep down I still want to see everyone, but I don't have access to those happy, eager emotions that I had before. They are dulled. So as I wait for my body to fight this cold, I hope that when I actually meet up with people I'll be able to muster an 'I've missed you. It's good to see you,' instead of a cough and a honking nose-blow.