When I was in the hospital a few weeks ago the nurse blew up a plastic glove, drew a carton face on it and handed it over to my two-year old Kolby who promptly named it “Perk.”
I like this name –Perk.
It’s chipper and cheery –rather an invigorating moniker. It reminds me of strong coffee and laughter and liveliness. In a sterile hospital ER, Perk just might be the perfect name for a balloon friend.
Perk had big eyes with long lashes and a five finger-hawk for hair. She was a bit edgy, unpredictable –as far as balloons go and slightly mysterious. In all the craziness of EKG’s and CT Scans, Perk and her friend Joe made my day a little brighter.
Joe was daddy’s creation. The first balloon/glove creature met an untimely pop, so Tim decided to pirate a hospital glove and make his own version.
(I love how both the balloons have coffee references –it’s like these people know me)
Joe turned out to be a survivor. After three weeks, he is still going strong although I do expect to come home one day and find nothing but fizzled plastic and a choking hazard lying where he used to be.
I will always treasure Perk and Joe because they brought me comfort on a scary blue day.
I love balloons!
Their sole purpose on this planet is to garner a smile (please don’t bring up landfills here and rain on my freaking parade).
Balloons are for celebrations and surprises and I don’t know what to say so get yo’ butt better soon!
They are a bundle of “I’m sorrys” in shiny cellophane, vibrant airbags of kisses, and a thousand floating prayers with curly strings.
Balloons mean something.
I imagine Jesus has a few balloons in the back pocket of his purple robe. He probably pulls them out and creates ridiculous balloon animals like rhinos and octopi. I bet he plays around and prototypes new animal creations before dropping them on a remote island to mess with Darwinian scientists.
And sometimes, he helps a little two-year girl in a hospital name her balloon friend Perk to cheer up her mommy.
Jesus is cool like that…
Who can you give a balloon to today?
