Spring

We did it. We survived winter, somehow managing to avoid catching a cold when everyone in the world had one.

It was quite a feat. Normally, Mo and I swap germs like Typhoid Mary. This year, we were vigilant to avoid passing on anything to Hope, especially since doctors warned she could be hospitalized if she caught a cold. We kept her mostly inside for months and learned a valuable life lesson. Apparently, Mom was on to something with all that talk of hand washing, vitamins, clean living and vegetables. Who knew?

So spring has sprung. Our triumph over the calendar is complete. And, of course, Hope has her first cold.

It began with a few stray coughs. It's evolved into a seven-straight-sneeze symphony that's foul and phlegmatic. She's not sleeping well. The fussbudget is on Fuss Factor Five.

Hope's been out a lot more, so it makes sense that she'd catch a stray something. A few weeks ago, the sniffles and snorts would have sounded serious alarms. We still worry, but realize there's not much to do but ride it out.

There could be some lesson in here about planning your life, excessive caution or letting your guard down. But Mo delights in poking fun of these entries for always ending in lessons.

So perhaps, just this once, a cold is just a cold.