Is it just me or have you noticed it, too? COVID camaraderie is gone. People seem cranky. There seem to be lots of angry people running around. Or maybe I am the only angry person causing the terror. So, in this week’s column I am going to share happy stories and try to get that frown to turn upside down. (I know I am really close to the line of “sweetie, life can’t be that bad, smile!” But please don’t stop reading yet or try to slap me if you see me in person.)
I’ve purposely avoided talking about my grandson because I don’t want to make people jealous. He is so smart and beautiful at 11 months old that I can’t imagine what he will be like when he is 1. Robbie started day care, and the nice caregivers share pictures throughout the day of what little Robbie is doing. Most are just cute kid stuff, but two stopped me cold. In the first, Robbie is sitting in a highchair finger painting, but the look on his face is one of utter disgust. Now, Robbie has been giving me the side-eye since he was 3 months old. He prefers his Hampa over me, but I pretend I don’t notice. This picture, though, is an exact replica of the face I make when I am annoyed. His face says he does not want to finger paint, he wants to play with real tools, maybe some live electricity. In the second picture, it looks like a little girl in front of him has something he wants. When I look closer at Robbie’s hand … why, that’s an unnatural way to hold your finger unless you are flipping someone off. OMG, what have I done to my poor sweet Robbie! Fitzy (me) is going to need to go back to Grandma Camp!
My husband Carey hurt his back (that’s not the heart-warming part). One of our dogs, Stella, wants to kill me because she loves Carey so much. Carey has been unable to walk her regularly, so our sweet neighbor girls have been stepping in. Their mom won’t let them take any money for this kindness. But why can’t I walk the dog? I am perfectly capable of doing it, but remember, this dog wants me dead. When did I start talking to the neighbors? When they got chickens! Yes, they have chickens that Robbie likes to go over and pet. I am scared of all animals except dogs, but these chickens are downright adorable. I hope their mom will let us start slipping them some cash, or I know I will want to make some grand gesture and buy them a pony.
And on a sadder note, actor, writer and director Chadwick Boseman died. He was far too young but oh so very wise when he said “You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure.”
Stay healthy, my friends.
