Annus Horribilis

by carolynholm

Dear Alpha Mommy,

Mia says we need to keep an eye on the time, because the Annus Horribilis will be over at midnight on the 31st!!!!!

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

She is a very clever cat.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

It’s not nice of her to talk about her anus!

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

She isn’t, sweetie. Annus with two “n’s” is a different word. It means “year.”

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

Oh. But I still don’t understand it. Annus Horribilis sounds like a dinosaur.

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

It refers to a terrible year.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

Has it been a rough year?

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

You should be glad you don’t follow the news. It has been a terrible year.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

Is that why you and Alpha Dad get tense and wave your arms around in agitation?

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

We do get agitated when we talk about the state of the world.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

Is it that bad?

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

It is. I think if Molly were still alive she’d be reminding us of her dire worldview. She’d say “we’re doomed.”

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

She did say that a lot. Was she right?

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

I’m too optimistic to go so far as to say we’re doomed. But between the catastrophic election, the hurricanes, the wild fires, guns everywhere, and powerful men behaving badly, it has been an Annus Horribilis.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

But you have me! And the cats! And your family! And lots of friends!

XOXO Poppy

 

Dear Poppy,

I do have all that! And I’m so grateful for all of you! And I’m sorry we wave our arms. I forget that this sets off your PTSD.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

I get startled by waving arms. You might hit me.

XOXO Poppy

 

Dearest Poppy,

You know I’ll never hit you, sweetie. I’m sorry that someone treated you so badly when you were young.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mommy,

I’m glad that I’m with you now.

XOXO Poppy

 

Dearest Poppy,

So am I. And let’s hope we all have a better year in 2018!

Love, Carolyn

 

 

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