February 1976 was one that is still stuck in my memory. My parents and I all came down with the flu at the same time. I was five years old and didn’t understand what the flu was or why the pictures on my wall seemed to be moving at times. We all had fevers so high that we started hallucinating. I remember Dad taking me to the doctor after that, and we both got shots. I was terrified of Dr. McNeer because he was never exactly gentle with giving shots, in my opinion. My Dad thought he was the best doctor ever.
The medication I had to take was the worst-tasting stuff I ever remember having in my mouth. Dad thought he would try a spoonful to convince me and ended up spitting it out. Mom told him that sure wasn’t going to help. Dad only smiled and said that I was right; it was nasty.
Mom got Granny and Papaw to take her to the doctor. He told her she had something called the swine flu. Me being 5, I couldn’t understand how Mom had a pig disease.
Since it was the bicentennial of the country, I remember the coloring book Mom brought of Woody Wood Pecker telling the story of the birth of the country.
We were so sick Dad’s Aunt Letha was bringing us food. Mom was too sick to even think about trying to cook. The bad thing was we were too ill to eat. Letha was the kind of person who had the instinct to take care of people. She was always looking out for those she cared for.
Valentine’s Day was rapidly approaching by the time we were better and getting back to normal. Dad came home one evening and brought Mom and me one of those satin-covered hearts full of chocolate each. Mom’s was red, and mine was yellow. I felt so special and grown up. Mom was so thrilled with hers. In my mind, Valentine’s Day will forever be represented by satin-covered hearts because they were given to us with love. I hope this Valentine’s Day, you receive a gift of pure love.
