WHO KNEW?

We have two new additions to our family in the form of three month old kittens. They are fun and playful and bring a lot of energy with them. It was quite the ordeal to adopt them from a large cat shelter. The red tape, paper work and questions seemed to go on forever, three hours in person in addition to conversations on the phone. I suppose they want to be sure their cats go to a good home to protect their investment…they have been neutered, microchipped, given all their shots and trained to use a litter box. Still that seems a little excessive to me. I’ve been used to the simple process of being given a kitten and, well, taking it from there and just enjoying a new pet. No safe room, no special food or strict eating schedule, no rules in playing with them, no tiptoeing around them to keep from startling them. Evidently this elderly lady has taken care of cats the wrong way all her life. Who knew cats were so delicate and easily traumatized, certainly not I.

My son and his family adopted them and are responsible for their care but I get to enjoy them without any of the work. The family is gone during the daytime so the kittens, being such social creatures, come downstairs and stay with me. They play and sleep at intervals and chase each other up and down the stairs. I get my fill of playing and petting until the others come home and take up the heavy responsibility of doing things the right way.

The children are beyond happy at having a pet, they’ve wanted one for a long time. My grandson wanted a dog, a large one I might add, but when he cuddled with the kittens he decided that cats are much better. I think all children should have a pet of some sort, it’s a big part of childhood and of learning to be responsible for something other than oneself. When I was young I had both dogs and cats which I loved fiercely. My last pet, not so many years ago, was a large black cat that was smart, funny and very loving. I still miss him. I’d been thinking of getting another cat but now happily I won’t have too, especially since I’ve learned that I didn’t really know how to properly care for one….

For our children

In our part of the country, school is in full swing now. The start of the new school year is usually filled with excitement, anticipation, and happiness. This year, with record numbers of COVID 19, it is filled with trepidation, fear and uncertainty.

And no wonder, the whole fifth grade class was recently sent home due to COVID-19. The second grade class, which my grandson is in, has had a number of cases as well. The teacher called and told us he was directly exposed but he could continue to go to school because he was exposed there. WHAT??? I suppose if everyone stayed home who was exposed there would be no school. So far he has exhibited no symptoms but he is one of the only ones who has religiously worn a mask.

And speaking of that, I don’t know how he can wear a mask all day, running and playing as he does, but the young can adapt well to almost any situation. I feel a mask mandate should be in place for the protection of all, but it won’t happen here unless something drastic changes.

My three year old granddaughter in in pre school this year and she, as well, is about the only child in her class wearing a mask. She doesn’t balk at wearing it and is very good about keeping it on. It breaks my heart that it has come to this, children should be free to run and play without having to worry about such things. Perhaps that’s why most parents don’t have their child wear a mask. However, if it helps keep them safe then it surely is a no brainer to do so. The hospitals in this area are now full of young children with COVID instead of the elderly so it’s our young we have to focus on keeping safe.

My grandson did virtual school last year but he was only one of a few that did, and he didn’t do well with that method. My daughter in law and son worked from home and took turns helping him, but that is not an option this year even if he had thrived on it.

I’m afraid this virus will be with us from now on and that our new normal will be totally different from the normal we have been accustomed to. One day our grandchildren may tell their children, “when I was really young we didn’t have to wear a mask”, and their children won’t believe them. Such is the stuff of science fiction becoming reality. I hope it won’t be so, but until everyone gets on board with wiping out this virus it will just continue to mutate and spread. So, get vaccinated and stock up on masks, and teach your children to wear them. …teach by example by wearing them yourselves. That’s such a simple thing to do, but by simple things are great things brought to pass. We can do this, we must do this…for our children!