Home Sick with Robot Cat from the Future

By the time we put Mimi to bed Wednesday evening, we knew her cold had finally won out.  She'd been fighting the sniffles for at least a week - her little nose producing more snot than should be humanly possible - but had remained otherwise healthy.  That's typical for our little girl.  Difficult in almost every other conceivable way, she's always been a healthy child.  I suppose that's a fair trade-off.  Seeing her so lethargic and cranky over the past few days has been painful.  She's trying so hard to be happy and to play, but she just can't find the motivation.  And she doesn't know why.  It's frustrating for her.  But we're finding little ways to make her more comfortable. 

Today Mimi and I are having a traditional American sick-day and staying home from daycare to convalesce with a little TV and some serious napping.  Normally the TV stays off during the day, but being sick, Mimi gets a treat.  The first thing she asked for after Mama left for work was "Na-no."  That's her word for "Doraemon," Japan's favorite robot cat from the future. 

Doraemon is to the Japanese like the "Peanuts" comic strip and holiday specials are to Americans: very near and dear.  Despite rather different premises - a young boy and his dog vs. a young boy and his robot cat from the future - they're actually quite similar.  Both center on a looser-type main character who, despite any temporary victories, never quite manages to come out on top.  In Doraemon, the Charlie Brown character is named "Nobita."  He is in fourth grade and is the worst in his class at just about everything.  Doraemon was sent from the future by a descendent of Nobita's to help him improve his grades and to become a bit more successful, or at least competent. 

But Doraemon is no tutor.  He has a magic pocket filled with devices that help Nobita accomplish his goals and go on adventures.  There's the "Doko-demo-door" (Anywhere door), which will take you wish; the "small light," which can miniaturize things; the "translating gelatin," which, when eaten, allows animals to talk with you; and the "takeh-coptah" (bamboo helicopter) which is a small propeller you attach to your head that lets you fly around the neighborhood.  Literally hundreds of inventions have been introduced in the series.  It's one of the remarkable and endearing aspects of the show.  I think it really clicks with a kid's imagination.  I know it did for Mimi.  Doraemon has been my favorite Japanese character since I was first introduced to him 15 years ago.  It amazes me that he's already my little girl's favorite as well. 

Getting Mimi to eat with her cold has been a bit of a challenge.  She's keeping fluids down, but solid foods tend to come back up rather quickly.  This morning some yogurt was placed before her.  Rather than eat the yogurt, Mimi decided to lean back and contemplate it.  Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, but cute.  

Staying home sick means exactly that: staying home.  Even in bad weather we still try to get outside to play - on a walk, drive, or shopping trip - at least once a day.  Both Mimi and I have a touch of cabin fever now.  We can only read, color, and nap so much!  Take a look.  Mimi agreed to draw with me for a while...

...but soon became disgusted with my complete lack of artistic ability.  

It's tough seeing my little girl under the weather.  She really wants to play and sometimes gets a bit frustrated by her own lethargy.  "Why do I feel like this?" she seems to say. 

"Well, honey, " I wish I could respond, "You're sick.  It's OK.  It happens to all of us.  You and I will stay in, rest, and before you know it, we'll be out playing again."  Of course, I can say this, and I have, but I don't think the message gets through.  Mimi just wants to feel like her normal perky, pushy self.  Hopefully she will by Monday.  Her cousin Alder is coming down from Oregon for a visit and she needs to be in top form for her favorite playmate!