Summer Bug

The family that lived across the street were raising their two grandchildren. One was closest to Tiffany's age, and the other an adorable little chunk of a monster named Anthony. He idolized Heidi and Blake. When he was about 18 months old, I woke one morning and went downstairs to make coffee. Through the front window, I would see him, wet diaper sagging to his knees, an absolute mop of black tossled hair on his head, and nothing more... nothing more that is, except two huge butcher knifes he had undoubtedly swiped from the kitchen with no one being the wiser, before making his was out the front door and to the lawn. At first I couldn't believe my eyes. I moved in closer for a look see. Surely, they were play knifes?? Halloween props perhaps?? But NO!! And no adults in sight! Anthony stood like a Ninja, before jumping forward, swinging the knives up and down, round and round, kicking one foot out and then the other, as he attacked some invisible warrior, or dragon, or who knows what else! WHAT THE...? I went flying out the front door and across the street in my nightgown (ummmmmm...I can't promise I looked both ways....my bad). "Hey there, Anthony!", I said, trying not to scare him too much. "What 'cha doin' there little Samurai?" I moved closer... "I pay'ing!! Me stwong!!" Uhhhhhhh...."Let me see what ya' got there little strong man!" Closer, closer.... He lept and turned all in one motion, running to the other side of the lawn, turning back towards me in a proper Ninja stance, and making all the appropriate noises..."Whoosh, wooooooo, swiiiiish, ohhhhhh, ahhhhh, shooooosh, yieeeeeeeee, heeeeeeeyawwwww..." Knives held high. Ah, Jeez... I made my move, grabbing the knives in one hand, and lifting him under my other arm. I carried him to the front door and rang the bell with my elbow. "Good morning!", I said to his Grandma, when she finally answered the door. "I believe this little Ninja might belong to you?"

That Anthony, he was a handful! He also would become almost a constant fixture at our house. We loved him.... even when he would show up at the crack of dawn to wake the family and ask if "Heini" and "Bake" could play...even when he gave the kids head lice (although, I loved him a little bit less then).

Inevitably, however, would come the time one summer, when all three of my little wranglers would get sick. It was a flu to end all flu's. Not only that, they were blessed with a nastly little condition known as "Pink Eye"... I think some of you now what I'm talkin' about. I was changing sheets, emptying vomit pails, cleaning the floor, administering medicines, checking temperatures, warm cloth washing eyes so they could see, changing beds, trying to keep up with the laundry, making whatever I could get them each to eat...and doing it all all over again, and again. I was covered head to toe in vomit and diarrhea, for days on end. And in between it all, day after day, hour after hour...would come little Anthony. Knock, knock, knock...ding-dong, ding-dong...knock, knock, knock... One evening, during this good time had by all... I would pen this, in honor of our little Ninja, who just would not go away...

Summer Bug

Sorry, but the kids can't play.

They'll be out another day.

When their germs have gone away

you'll be welcome in to play.

No young friend, they still can't play,

same as earlier today.

For the eighteenth time I'll say

they're all inside and sick today.

Say whatever you've to say...

No, you can't come in "halfway".

They'll be out when they can play.

Sorry Hon, but you can't stay.

Yes, I promised yesterday

if their fevers went away!

Same old story, different day,

they're still sick, so GO AWAY!

Like a glimpse of de-ja-vu

something told me it was you!

Health check number fifty-two...

Nothing's changed and nothing's new!

Catch a hint and get a clue!

I've 'bout had enough of YOU!

Read my lips and get it through,

ALL THE KIDS HAVE GOT THE FLU!!!

God love that little bugger... I mean, somebody had to!!! ;)