Thursday, September 18, 2008

Not According to Plan

So much for predictability.

We learned last week that one of Darren's very favorite authors -- perhaps his very favorite living author/illustrator -- Graeme Base (Animalia, The Eleventh Hour, and his latest, Enigma), was scheduled to be at our city's main library this morning. A school day.

As any dutifully indulgent mama would do, I called the sponsoring children's book store, reserved three copies of the new book (one for the D, and one for each of the twins' first grade classes), and planned to take Darren's well-worn copies of his first two books for autographing.

Lo and behold, Darren awoke with a "my tummy hurts." Hmmmm. When we infomed him that he could either stay in bed all day and rest (no TV) or go to school, he picked the bed. Hmmmm. Then (get ready, excess info coming), he had a bit of what I'll call a lower intestinal release. He felt better, but clearly, not too smart to take him to school. (Those things tend to come in threes.)

While Daddy hung tight, I took Sarah (and Darren's homework) to school, and returned to find a cheery upbeat ("my tummy hurts only a little now") Darren. Perhaps it was divine providence he should see Mr. Base after all. So off we went; his backpack stoked with his lunch and school gear so that I could drop him off (barring any more disgestive upset) following the author meet and greet.

He was elated.

We descended to the library's auditorium, picked up our three copies of the new book and sat smack down in the front row. Mr. Base was a charmer, and even read aloud Enigma.

Darren gleefully read along with his new book in his lap.


All was right with the world. Then, as we were waiting in line to have the books signed:

Darren (deciding to sit on the floor): "Let's go. I want to go home and take a nap."

Mommy (acknowledging an onset of pallor): "We're almost to Mr. Base. We'll go right home. You don't have to go to school afterward, Hon."

At the signing table, Darren looks positively pistachio green...both Mr. Base and his rep kindly say how "stuffy" those rooms are. I send D on up the stairs toward the exit as Mr. Base lovingly signs all three of Darren's books...each with little animal illustrations and positive words.

As soon as we emerge from the sliding glass doors, sweet little man gets ill. No tears. No complaint. Just a "Whew. At least I didn't get sick in there."

No doubt, it was a day Darren and I will both remember...for reasons unanticipated.
post signature.

19 comments:

Leslie said...

Oh, man! Your day sounds like last Friday around here. At least he made it outside!

Jen said...

Poor Darren! Hope he is feeling better today!

Laura said...

This is art.
"Little boy with bowl"

This day had some great timing going on. Don't you think?

Cheryl Lage said...

You know Laura, you are right. Seems like the entire day was spent second guessing myself:
Is he faking a tummy ache to go see Graeme Base? Oooh, can't fake diarrhea (sorry), wonder if he's really got a bug? Then when he feeling SO good, was it a mistake to take him to see the author? Was the morning output just a lucky happenstance? Was I awful to not grab his hand and leave when he loked tired, instead of waiting the 2-3 extra minutes to get his beloved books signed?

The answers may never be resolved entirely (what if's are a waste), but your thoughtful acknowledgment of "good timing" refocuses the day beautifully for me.

Thanks. :)

Cheryl Lage said...

And Leslie you're right too! Looking at the bright side on a day like today helps..and Jen B...he's sleeping on the living room floor as I type...where he's taken up residence for the day. But again, looking at the "good," he hasn't gotten sick again!

Wishing us all a good weekend!

Liz Jimenez said...

Oh, poor Darren! But lucky him to have met such a neat author. Hopefully he'll remember that part of the day more clearly than the sick part... :-)

Jenny said...

Poor thing! Getting sick is the worst. I hope he feels better.

Anonymous said...

Wow. That could have been sooooo bad. I'm happy he got through the reading and got to see his hero...without puking on said hero. Kids sleeping on the floor with bowls next to them is never good though - so I wish you guys a speedy recovery.

Unknown said...

Oh poor guy! Glad he was able to make it through the visit, but I imagine he was feeling lousy all through it. Hope he feels better soon!

Sara said...

Oh poor sweet thing! How he feels better soon. And your right. Sometimes it is best to look on the brighter side of these days. :-)

Aimee said...

I can't believe he managed to hold it in! That's some amazing sphincter control :)

And we are Graeme Base fans,as well. I can't tell you how many times we've searched for the animals in "The Watering Hole"

Anonymous said...

Ah yes the naps with the bowl near by...we've had many. Hopefully he's doing well.

Zip n Tizzy said...

Oh you are a kind mama.
Gramm Base is one of our favorites. He may be sick, but he'll never forget how you made this day special despite it all. And he has the autographs to prove it!
Sweet little guy. Hope he feels better.

Threeundertwo said...

Poor little guy! How wonderful to get to meet a favorite author though!

I love that Animalia book more than the kids I think. I can spend hours with it.

Amy said...

Poor little dude, that's bad. Thanks for visiting my blog the other day and I hope your little man feels much better now :)

Christy said...

Poor Darren! Glad he was able to make it to see the author! I hope he is feeling much better today...

Harris Boys said...

that last pic says it all...poor darren. I hate the first few weeks of school...everyone gets the nasty bugs going around. glad he was able to enjoy his fav. author and get his books signed!

Sharlene said...

Poor little guy. At least he got to meet the author before pukefest!

Nancy said...

wow - you're definitely never going to forget this day! I hope the poor little guy feels better.