Author Archives: Ross Mannell

There are the good times and there are the bad. We all have joys in our lives and times we’d rather forget.

It’s my time on duty. I’m ready, alert for any sound or smell warning of danger.

The moment comes and my mind screams, “Code Red!”

I quickly put on my protective clothing. The rubber gloves come next. Finally, I slip my gas mask over my face. I am ready!

I approach the source of the problem, my mind suppressing my fear of what’s to come. As efficiently as a first attempt can be, I change my new baby’s dirty diaper.

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She was eight but, to her Grandma, she seemed to be carrying the weight of the world, “Why so sad, Debbie?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Are you thinking about Michael?”

Debbie’s sobs increased, “He shouldn’t have died. He was my best friend.”

Grandma knew the loss we can feel when accident takes someone close, “Close you eyes. Tell me about Michael.”

Debbie recounted good times and bad, Grandma laughing and crying with her, “As long as you hold your memories and love of your friend, he’ll always be with you.”

Many years passed. Debbie sat with her grandson. History repeated.

She remembered, “My Grandma always told me…”

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Have a meal. Need a change of diaper. Crying for attention. Being happy at times. Taking a short nap to soothe my nerves if I can. Cuddles and hugs and kisses for baby when others come to visit.

The house is so often busy when a new baby is around. Everyone wants to see and hold.

Okay, I get it. I understand this is one of those things that happen when a family expands by one but, really, when will I get some time of my own?

“Without you around, I sleep like a baby!” I scream out.

Voices, “Why is she crying?”

“Who knows,” my daddy says.

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The darkened room was quiet bar the ticking of a clock. A worker sat at a desk looking up occasionally to see if all was well. Such was the time of night.

Without warning, a loud noise was heard from where unknown. The silence was broken, first one then another joining. The unthinkable happening, a chain reaction had begun.

She rapidly pressed a button three times, a call for help, “I’ve officially reached critical mass.”

Help came running, people knowing their role. In time only the ticking clock was again heard.

It only takes one crying baby to set off a hospital nursery chain reaction.

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The world can be confusing for a five year old, especially homophones, “Why did the man have forfeit? Is miscellany the new teacher?”

Adults can say strange things at times.

She was listening to her mum and grandpa talking when mum asked, “Did the doctor say he would find all of the stones?”

Grandpa smiled, “He said he would leave no kidney stone unturned to make me well.”

After some time, mum went looking for her daughter and found her turning all of the stones in the driveway, “What are you doing?”

“I’m turning all of the stones over to help grandpa get well quicker.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.