I just got to thinking, it used to be a lot more fun, being sick, than it is now. I don’t mean really sick. I mean just a bit of a cold, just enough to convince my mother that I needed to stay home from school. She kind of liked her children to be with her, so she didn’t need a lot of convincing.
And so, instead of going to school, I got to stay in bed and read my King Arthur book, or play with my toy animals–or, if my brother was sick, too, we broke out the erector set.
My mother used to bring me a little glass of ginger ale, and usually made a soft-boiled egg for my lunch. It was so quiet and peaceful. None of this taking out the garbage, changing the litter boxes, or grocery-shopping even when you feel like all you want to do is stay in bed. I loved the way my mother would take care of me. It’s a very fond memory. Trust me–your kids remember these things.
Occasionally she would have to call Dr. Cannemela, who would make a house call. I am told that I once got very jealous because he was paying attention to my brother instead of me, and I tossed his hat into the toilet. I wonder if that’s why they don’t make house calls anymore.
And I didn’t have a teddy bear, but I did have a nice yellow bunny to be the companion of my revels.
Days when I was not so sick, but sick enough to stay home are great memories for me, too. Even at an early age, I tended to be alone on those days, with my parents at work and my older sister in school. My mother worked nearby, so I usually got a visit at lunch. It’s was a lot more fun than school.
Just about everything is a lot more fun than school.
Wow, I didn’t realize how much boys liked staying home from school. It didn’t work that way for me. I hated missing school, though I did get the usual pampering when I was sick. I was just happy that I didn’t get sick often.
The elementary school I went to was horrible.
My mom would rub our backs whenever we asked her to – she was one in a hundred million.
Mothers are really wonderful people (for the most part. I know there are some who are not). I miss mine a lot.
To me, being sick is just as awful as you can get. I hate any type of sickness and even though I can’t stand school, I’d much rather do school than be sick.
Now, now–I was talking about just *a little* sick.
Uhh yeah right.
It worked! Now I’m REALLY feeling bad that you’re feeling badly. I prayed a lot for “a little sick” but now every time I think of you being sick I see that little boy in bed and feel sick myself! Have a heart – get better!
All that little boy needs is a King Arthur picture and story book, a glass of ginger ale, and a soft-boiled egg.
Thank you for sharing your fond memories! I hope you and Patty will get better soon!
When I was younger, my “teddy bear”… was a sweet potato. No, not the literal sweet potato, but the soft squishy sweet potato toy. The Sweet Potato’s successor was a black teddy bear named Boomster, which has been my companion for many special years, until its mysterious disappearance in 2014. Long will I remember the face of my beloved friend who has been by my side since 2010, lost due to the misobservance of his owner.
And what’s a teenager in his last teenage year writing all this for???
Got a secret for you, Joshua–you don’t forget your teddy bear, except for a while there in your 20s, 30s, and 40s when a lot of people forget a lot of things that are important.
Yes, sir! Thanks for the advice! 😉