Mile Low

Maybe next year I should just skip straight to June.

Last May, I got some horrendous bug that refused to go away for the longest time. I figured that was just an aberration and that I couldn’t possibly get sick again at this lovely time of year. And certainly not two years in a row.

I’m glad I didn't put money down on that bet because right now I’m suffering through a perfectly wicked cold.

It started off yesterday afternoon as a little tickle in my throat, which I barely noticed but it quickly blossomed into a full-blown upper respiratory nightmare.

I’m coughing, sneezing, and dragging myself around the house like an extra from The Walking Dead. I thought May was all about rebirth and new beginnings, but so far the only thing merry about the month of May is that it’s playing merry hell with my nerves.

This is Mother’s Day and my sister’s birthday and instead of being out with my family, I’m home vegetating in front of the tube watching “Bar Rescue” and other, equally stimulating fare.

To make matters much worse, we were supposed to fly out to Denver on Tuesday to visit our brother and his family for 10 days. But this morning we decided to scrub those plans until a later date when, God willing, we’ll all be in better shape.

Bust A Cap

I don’t want to get any sicker nor do I want to infect my loved ones. And I don’t relish the idea of seeing all the sites through wincing, watery eyes.

I hate having to reschedule the trip. My niece sent me a cap bearing the Colorado flag a few months ago and every time someone asked me if I came from the Centennial State, I’d smile and say no, but I’m on my way.

God help the next loser who asks me about that cap.

I’ve never been to Denver before and I was admittedly nervous about going to some place new—as opposed to being excited the way a normal person would be.

But I know it would do me a lot of good to shake up my routine a little bit and do something different. Well, right now my routine is shaking like a James Bond martini.

Mother’s Day just makes everything more depressing. I dragged myself out to the supermarket to get some food and I started to tear up on the checkout line as I thought of my mother, who’s been gone close to 11 years now.

It’s still hard seeing all the Mother’s Day ads, and watching people walk by holding bouquets. And my mother used to take such great care of us when we were sick.

A little while ago my brother called me and I told him my sad story. It turns out my niece has not been feeling well either.

In addition, my brother and his wife will be closing on a house during the time we were supposed to be out there so it would have been difficult to see them. He suggested that we stay at their new home when we actually do visit.

So maybe this little disaster worked out for the best. I’ll rest up, get well, and get ready for a successful trip. I’m going to earn the right to wear that Colorado cap.