Virus

Virus

Circulating
Hunting
Targeting
Invading
Multiplying
Overrunning
Monopolizing
Disrupting
Lingering
Recycling

No matter where you go this time of year - the store, church, social gathering - patterns of coughs and sneezes can be
heard like a sad winter song.

The topic of viruses also seems to dominate conversations. "My daughter has had that cough for 2 weeks." Followed with,
"My sister out in St. Louis says half the kids in her son's class have that too." Completed in unison, "It's going around!"

My kids seem to engage in a fight daily about sharing toys, yet they have no problem sharing their germs. It seems like at
least once a month during the long winter season my youngest child roams the house for several days with a booger rope
hanging from his nose like a ring hanging from the snout of a bull. Later that same week, my oldest child will serenade us
for several nights with his post-nasal-drip induced cough.

Caring for sick kids is one of my least favorite parental tasks. Give me a poopy diaper, visit for vaccinations, or a tantrum
over sick care any day.

As sleep disrupts, whining erupts, and colorful bodily fluids flow way too freely.

I know from past years, I just need to hold on for the ride (or hibernate!) until relief arrives in the form of spring when new,
fresh life is breathed into our world, homes and bodies.

At least until allergy season begins…