Part 2: Routine Disorder

Chapter 1: Whittier College

"This will all make sense when I am older.
Someday I will see that this makes sense.
One day, when I'm old and wise,
I'll think back and realize
That these were all completely normal events."

From Josh Gad, Olaf’s song “When I’m Older,” Frozen II, Disney, 2019.

Friday, April 3, 2020
	Going out of my mind. Had to get out of the house. At a stop in the rain, have the kids put on their shoes and head out for a walk around the hilly quaint streets of Uptown Whittier. Didn’t care in the slightest that I’m supposed to remain at home because I’m not an essential worker. Yes. Yes. Been there. Did that for two weeks. I’m over it. Sue me.
	Multiple residents have placed teddy bears in their bungalow’s windows for the children to find, but my kids don’t seem to care about the bears. Believe the hunt was made for adults instead. My children are more interested in “saving” pill bugs, picking up sticks, and jumping into puddles.
	In the search for sanity, find myself steering the kids towards the lawns of Whittier College. The campus hugs the steep slopes of the Whittier Hills and has beautiful old buildings and huge grassy lawns. I figure no one will mind if we walk around there a bit.
	When we come to a grassy slope, I park the stroller so that Johnny can get out and toddle around while the big kids roll down the hill. They start at the top and somersault down the rain-soaked grass while giggling and asking me to watch and film them. Do so, only mildly peeved that their clothes will be ruined after this. Oh well. Better to have ruined clothes than a ruined Mama.