It’s the time of the year for viruses. Sure, there are other illnesses out there–strep throat, ear infections, pneumonia, and plenty of others. But let’s face it, their frequency pales in comparison to the number of folks infected with the common cold. Of course, if you’re sick, you should see your doctor, especially if your illness is accompanied by a fever, sore throat, wheezing–that sort of thing. Your doctor might be able to catch a bacterial illness early, get you started on an antibiotic, and head the disease off at the pass.But what if your doctor doesn’t find a bacterial cause of the infection? What if it’s just a virus? Well, here’s where patience has to come in. Really, it does. Most viruses last 10-14 days. Sorry folks, but that’s the honest truth. You aren’t getting better any time sooner. The trouble with viruses taking this long to go away is that most folks are fed up after a week or so of constant symptoms. They go back to the doctor. The doctor doesn’t really find anything new, but he calls it a sinus infection or bronchitis–just in case.More often than not, it’s really still a virus. But you start the antibiotic anyway and what do you know–in 3 days you’re feeling better! The antibiotic worked! Or did it? More likely, you just reached the end of the typical 10-14 day viral illness.Of course, the doctor who gave you the antibiotic is a hero in your eyes. Only really, he’s not. By killing off your normal good bacteria, he’s single-handedly made room for nasty antibiotic-resistant bacteria to set up shop in their place.The reason so many folks rush to the doctor when they’re suffering with cold symptoms is because everyone wants a magical cure. Everyone wants the symptoms behind them. Everyone wants to get on with their lives already.We doctors are just as guilty as our patients. We see the same person back in a week, and even though there aren’t any new or different symptoms, we make up a cockamamie story about it being a sinus infection or bronchitis, when deep down in our hearts we know it’s still just a virus.See your doctor if you’re sick, by all means. But don’t push him or her for an antibiotic, even if it’s your second or third visit for the same illness. Most viruses take 10-14 days to clear. You just have to accept that fact and put a halt to your quest for a magical cure!

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My son recently played Destinty Applewhite in the world-premiere stage production of “Surviving the Applewhites,” a play based on Stephanie Tolan’s Newberry Honor Book of the same name. The central question of the story is a simple one: What brings you joy?As patrons entered the theater, ushers offered each a slip of yellow paper to jot down a response to this question. Then, when the play had ended, the responses were displayed in the lobby for all to see. As I perused the collection, the heavily recurring themes of family and hobbies struck me.Noticably absent were mentions of the day job, religious experiences, and school or learning. Maybe this is because the question (and size of the paper) left room for only one response. A more interesting list would have included 3-5 answers from each audience member. Unfortunately, nobody at the theater asked for my input.So I’ll pose the question to you. What brings you joy? Take your time. Give it some thought. Then, when you’re ready, return with a list of 3-5 responses.I’ll go first.

1. Spending unhurried family time with Karen and the kids (Disney vacations, game time, dinner out).
2. Writing and Podcasting.
3. Making sick kids better and easing parental anxiety.
4. The warmth of the sun and smell of the air after a passing Spring shower. Evening insect noise and crackling campfires in Summer. Sweatshirts and the smell of burning leaves in Autumn. Flannel sheets, outdoor hottubs, and big bowels of chili on snowy Winter days. (Okay, so maybe I cheated and squeezed too much into this one. So what?)
5. Pizza and freshly-baked cookies.

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