Tiny tots can be a mixed blessing for elderly grandparents at this time of the year. Just one of the little darlings with a solitary sniffle can put a brace of oldies out of commission for a week or so, as we’ve all known, for ages.
It’s nice to know where your next dose of the common cold is lurking, but we all know that avoiding that “wog” is very near impossible
How can we refuse baby-sitting duties when busy mums need to go out? How can we visit, even for a few minutes without a quick hug or two, at least?
The fact is that we really should try and resist the charms of sniffley littlies, because what makes them miserable is a lot worse for most of us. I write this with conviction and sadness, being at this time deep in the dreaded cycle of coughs, sweats, headaches and sodden handkerchiefs – all just a few days after the last grand parental visit.
There’s not much comfort, of course, in remembering that ignoring “the wog” until it hits us has been the habit of almost all of us for a lifetime. We’ve all been guilty, many times, of “soldiering on” when suffering, and thus spreading discomfort though our workmates and sporting teams.
Prevention might well be better than cure, but the theory seems seldom proved in my experience.
Better for us and others, then, that we submit, and stay home when we’re caught. Hot lemon drinks, lots of hot tea, rest and sympathy help a bit, and there are those who claim that the occasional tot of brandy is good for the morale.
More important still, for those of us who are no longer in the first flush of youth, is to make sure we’ve all had our ‘flu injection!
About Me
- Mike
- Adelaide (Salisbury East), S. A., Australia
- "You can't keep an old dog down", so the saying goes. Likewise, its hard to keep an old journo quiet while he's still around.
1 comment:
Oh dear - what a shame to feel so bad after hugs and kisses worth a million dollars. You are right, of course, and have reminded me to take care when visiting Adelaide next weekend, and hugging a four year and two year old. I've had the 'flu jab - and also one for pneumonia, but still the rotten little bugs may find a way through. Perhaps in a milder way, but can be so upsetting. My main concern about germs though, is on the plane. I hear people coughing and sneezing, and just know it's all going to be circulated via the air system, so I usually snuggle my face into my collar, or some other suitable item, and hope to avoid dire consequences of the "air conditiong" system.
Another pet hate is at the check-out of the supermarket. Some snivelling youth coughs in her hand, then with the same hand, picks up an item to scan and puts it (together with germs clinging and laughing) into my bag. I unpack at home, germs leap with joy onto my fingers and before I know it - I will be snivelling too. Sorry Mike - this is your forum, I'm just adding my comments! PC
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