While we wait for me to do a new ‘toon celebrating the birth of our latest cubby, heart of our hearts, the miracle panda, born in the midst of a pandemic and in the perils we face as a nation, an event that signifies hope.
In one of her fabulous stories (in which all the panda cubbies are much better behaved and respectful to their elders than the cubbies in these pages) Aunty Lucilla points out that our newest cub shares his/her birthday with Hua Mei, born in San Diego to Bai Yun and Shi Shi. Hua Mei was the first surviving cub born in the US and has become quite the hero mom herself. But this newest miracle cub, will be the last born to the current group of pandas who reside in the US. There were questions as to whether Mei Xiang was too old to have another cub. (Mei Xiang: I knew I could do it. Have a little faith)
It is the end of an era, although I hope not the end of having panda families in the US. They bring so much joy to us all. Because this is my world, and I get to make the rules of this world, I get to keep Pinky, Bubba, the Meihems and Mr. Wu all here to inhabit my stories.
Welcome to the world, little XT-4 (aka Four, aka Qi Ji) Start your engines!
And now, back to the Panda-demic…
Mommee Mei has an eagle eye!
Panda On!
Bob T Panda