My Inner Child

I know writers talk about their inner child at times, but apparently I really do have one. And he's got an ear infection.

About two weeks ago the ear canal of my right ear became swollen and very painful. I thought I'd gotten bit by an insect so I waited for the swelling to go down. (Of course, I had images of some insect having laid eggs "in" my ear and that the larva would soon start burrowing out through my brain.) After about three days the ear was still swollen so I decided to see a doctor the next day. Miraculously, the swelling was way down by the time I awoke the next morning and I thought all was well.

The following weekend my ear canal swoll up again, and this time I started having weird feelings of pressure inside my ears and a steady ringing. I did go to the doctor this time, and his conclusion? I have the kind of ear infection that kids get. He said, "it does happen occassionally in adults," but I could see he didn't find that very common. He gave me some antibiotics and they seem to be working.

My question is this. Why is my inner child getting an ear infection now? Could it be that I haven't listened to him enough lately? Have I been too "grown up" of late, what with grading on my final exams and paying my bills?

Screw grading tests or writing. I think I'm going to go play outside.