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Riding the Rooster
How Peanut Allergies Can Affect Kids' Simplest Pleasures
By Donna Stone
Stifling thoughts of how many peanut butter-contaminated hands had been there before us, I asked Caleb if he wanted to ride the merry-go-round. His face lit up with amazement. His dad took him to ride the rooster. Around and around they went while I constantly searched among the bright colors and shiny brass poles flashing by for glimpses of his face. This was something new for us both: joy and fear intermingled were displayed on his little face. The same emotions played across my features as I watched his pleasure, and at the same time estimated how long it would take to stop the ride and get to him if he needed his Epi-Pen.
He had never ridden a merry-go-round before. We were ready to go home and he was perfectly fine, showing none of the dreaded warning signs of an allergic response. No rash or hives, no red or puffy eyes, no stuffy nose, no pallor, no wheezing or crying. This day had been a gift. Thank you, God.
Later that evening, I was sorting through some clothes that needed to be boxed up to take to Goodwill. Underneath the pile of old blue jeans I hadn't worn in years, but had been saving "just in case I might fit into them again someday," I found a crushed, misshapen hat. I called Caleb into my room and with a flourish presented it to him. He immediately donned his new chapeau and pronounced that he was Woody from Toy Story. It was a straw hat. I watched and listened – no sneezing and no red eyes.
