Going to Disneyland

A child at the Disneyland Hotel had a fever. Disneyland is forty miles away, but the call arrived Sunday morning. Freeway traffic was light; a perfect time for a long drive.

It was nearly noon when I greeted the parents and three other children. Being stuck in a hotel room with a sick child was not part of their plans, so all looked depressed. The child had a fever and cold symptoms but did not seem ill. I explained that children catch half a dozen viral infections every year; they last from a few days to a week or two; one can treat the symptoms, but there is no cure. Rest does not help.

“You mean we can go to Disneyland?” asked the father.

“Saying in bed doesn’t make it go away quicker.”

The family erupted in cheers and followed me out the door.