A Fiona Moment

Most Cincinnatians, and much of the rest of the world, know Fiona. I’m speaking, of course, of Fiona, the baby Hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo. Fiona, born way too early, was in the news daily. We saw her being fed with a bottle, being nursed by workers from Children’s Hospital, being taught to bounce under water, and cuddling with her keepers. A movement supported Fiona as Time's “Person of the Year.” Fiona’s survival was combination miracle, scientific knowledge, and sheer determination. Children love her. When I spoke to a class of third graders in Indiana, I asked if any had seen her. Half the class raised their hands! So it was no surprise when my five year old granddaughter, who does not live in Cincinnati, became a Fiona fan. She came home from kindergarten one day and announced, “My friend, Fiona, has a birthday coming up.” My son presumed Fiona was a fellow kindergartner. He knew all about Fiona the Hippo, but did not see the connection. After all, who would connect a Cincinnati Hippo with a friend from a far-away school? “Lately, children seem to have unusual names,” he thought. “Perhaps she is Irish.” He kept hearing stories that just didn’t seem plausible. “Fiona went swimming today,” my granddaughter said. It was January.

“Fiona kissed someone through the glass… Fiona’s getting fat.” The epiphany occurred when the announcement was made: “Fiona had her birthday. She couldn’t come out because it was too cold.” “Too cold? Why should that relate to a birthday?” “Hippos don’t like cold weather, Daddy!” Ah! How our minds play tricks! Fiona is, indeed, "Person of the Year." At least for my family.