“I love the smell of diapers in the morning!”*


(*A very different Robert Duvall in “Apoopoolypse, Now” speaking over the wail of a wet and hungry baby, a Barney sing-a-long blaring at full blast, and a never-ending loop of See n’ Say doing farm animals.)

Some people aren’t fond of kids. They may go all squishy inside at the sight of a newborn, but that’s just nausea. Sticky fingers scare folks like this and can have them avoiding contact as though melted chocolate contained a deadly virus. And diapers? Don’t even think about diapers!

My dear friend Gay is … was … no, is … a bit poophobic. Kids are just not her thing, no matter how much fun she has taking Sam for hikes and laughing as Cj does her routines. She’s never wanted one and is very comfortable with the thought of never having a child to care for -- deliriously happy, actually. She’s fifty now and contented as a clam that her bio clock is done with the regular and annoying tick tock stuff.

As I mentioned yesterday, she’s in Cambodia this week. Because she is a good friend, and a wonderful person, she took one day of her holiday/house building time to visit the orphanage that cared for my kids before they came home, AOA. She went with instructions and armed with gifts.

“It was a good visit and I'm glad that I did it - bought apples and oranges for all… Both your nannies were thrilled to bits with the photos...”

Two families here have received referrals and are waiting to travel, so Gay had to do more than just take fruit, but she’s a trooper and, as always, didn’t hesitate to step up.

“The clothes were all a little too big for her, but I DID pick her up and give her a cuddle even though she is quite a bit floppy - and she farts. And I did get a photo of her smiling so will send that if I can…”

And, a real softy at heart, she was touched:

Beautiful kids - all of them… there was the cutest little girl with the most beautiful smile.... And a 3-year old boy who came and held my hand… And another little girl who looks as though she may have polio, pretty badly twisted… So all in all a bit of a emotional experience.”

Not too touched, however, as her email was titled: Still don’t want one!