Scenery - beautiful. Accommodations - comfortable. Entertainment - well, when one includes the Olympics, reading, going to a great play in Jackson, an outstanding symphony concert, and a whitewater rafting trip…Nothing to complain about there. The vacation at Jackson Hole was physically relaxing and beautiful. And I was depressed.
Could I smile? Oh, yes. The pearly whites were visible simply with one command to the facial muscles surrounding the mouth. Physically I was fighting a cough and bloodshot eyes that were threatening to, no, had a case of pink eye.
The red eyes were a source of amusement and irritation. I could walk from store to store, window gazing, and get as many second looks as a celebrity.
Or a drug addict. (All depends on perspective.)
Mom was trying to figure out how I'd gotten it. I had had it six days before. Mascaras, eye liners, and my favorite eye cream had all made the trip to the dumpster. Make-up was held to a minimum, and a new wash cloth was used every morning and evening. But no matter what, even down to changing my pillowcase each evening, I failed to ferret out the source of the disease. So I had pink eye. Again.
So what if I have red marbles with blue centers instead of eyes? I didn't care.
I even gave myself pep talks. I dredged the will walk tall, look about my surroundings, file observations, carry on civilized conversations, smile, and look people straight in the eye. I was not about to call myself a looser and give up on life. I had plans. I organized my schedule, chose to relax and enjoy books, plays, and movies
"I may have pink eye," I told myself, "but I won't bother about what others think. I’ll participate as any normal vacationer. Jeez, I wish Mom would quit organizing each minute of our vacation...."
So I went to the plays, watched the Olympics, and did all the things one does on vacation.
I kept a proper posture, looked about my surrounding, carried on civilized conversations with those I met, smiled, and looked people in the eye…..
All the while ignoring the dark sunglasses perched on my nose.