Old and sentimental
Call me sentimental. We survived the first year of college and have moved Daughter #1 home for the summer. This move was much simpler — it only took two trips and about six boxes and bags.
When she goes back to school later this summer she'll be moving into a brand new apartment. We haven't actually seen it yet — the contractor is still building it.
I thought the move out of the dorm would be more sentimental. "Aren't you going to miss this a little bit?" I asked. "Nope," she replied, as we walked out the door and never looked back.
Her great ceremonial acknowledgment of leaving dorm life was throwing away her shower shoes and vowing never to take a shower with shoes on again.
I guess sentiments are expressed in various ways.
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Remember a few years ago when "Always Wear Suncreen" was a popular recital at graduation time. The message was lost on some of us.
I'm a firm believer in the wonders of sunscreen. I'm even more thankful for the wonders of aloe vera lotion after this weekend. Contrary to popular belief, newspaper people don't loll around by the pool eating bon-bons all summer so an opportunity to spend time outdoors on a sunny day is rare indeed.
I promised to attend opening day at the ball field Saturday. I wasn't planning on staying long, so I didn't waste time sending out a search party for the sunscreen. Big mistake.
Daughter #2 and I stayed four hours. By the time we got home we both were a lovely shade of pink. As afternoon became evening, the pink became red and the itching began. I lathered on the aloe vera lotion and went to bed, thinking all that red would soak in to a lovely shade of tan by the next morning.
Boy, was I wrong. By Sunday morning my arms, shoulders, and legs were positively glowing — and I looked like a cross between Rocky Raccoon and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
I remember the good ol' days when I tanned instead of burned. I guess it's just a testament to the fact that I'm getting older
— DONNA BERNHARDT
