HELLO!

I am in a strange place, sitting in my office, working on funerals, sermons, and reports. Normally, I would be out and about visiting, but my head cold has come to my chest, no more sneezing, I now sound like a chain smoker. I went for a walk at lunch time, to clear my head and get some fresh air. I met some new faces, talked to those sitting on benches, the sun was top of mind. I marvel at how the weather remains a conversation topic, no matter where one is, what season we are in. I have never found weather to be an interesting topic, but I go along with it. Because I have this head cold, people hear it in my voice and remark, “there’s a lot of that going around?” I am tempted to say, but I don’t, when, ever, has there NOT been “a lot of that going around”.

All of this reminds me of something my late father would tease me about. When I was young, in our family of five, my parents, my brothers, were often sick. When ill, my father would stay home from work. When sick, my brothers would stay home from school. My mother, a martyr, would be sick but it would not slow her down, she had things to do, people to help. I, on the other hand, rarely was ill. And this reality gave me the arrogance to say, “colds don’t bother me”. My father never forgot that, and when I was sick, he would tell people, “You know Kevin, colds don’t bother him.” I have been most fortunate to enjoy relatively robust health in my life, until I came to Woodlawn. I have never had so many colds. My theory is I rarely walk now. I drive everywhere. I believe the lack of fresh air and exercise has come at a cost to my health. Or it could be I am just older now, 62 is not 60. Perhaps my good luck is running out. Who knows?

Years ago, when my grandparents became sick, they would go until they needed rest. And when they went to a doctor, they would not share (him – there were very few women doctors then) their symptoms. After they came out of the doctor’s office my mother would ask, “so did you tell him what is wrong with you?” and they would answer, “no, he’s a doctor, he would know”. Fast forward to 2026, it would appear everyone now has their medical degree from Google University. One reason I hesitate to share any illness with others is I am sure to be given a regime of potions, diet, specific rest and nocturnal practices, to undertake. And if I fail to do so, the same person will show up in my office with said remedy, with strict instructions, “now when you get home, you do this…”

When I get a cold, my usual practice is 1) drink lots of water, 2) go for a long and speedy walk and 3) have a hot shower. This never ceases to improve my spirit (not sure if it really has any medical upside). Kim says, what is missing is rest. Naps (or as my late grandfather called them “siestas”) are something I do enjoy on my day off, or during holidays in the summer. How about you, what is your “head cold” regiment?

Peace, Kevin