First, they are close to the ground, and more likely to inhale higher concentrations of pulverized guano than adults whose air intakes are normally significantly higher up.
Second, Toddlers are notorious for putting everything in their mouths, and decidedly unsanitary in their habits (fingers in everything, and subsequent oral contact).
Third, and related to both of the foregoing, they are at a level where they will pursue, and occasionally catch fowl, and short of being pecked, will even hug them. They are more likely to breathe the very air molecules the birds exhale due to proximity, and associated pathogens with them.
The seeming disease preference might only be a question of stature and habit selecting the demographic, rather than medical factors.
As for Mother Abigail's prediction, yes, it raises a hair or two on the back of my neck...We'll see what develops.
I think you have just described my attitude as of late. I do now watch and post things that seem to be relevant to my novella but I have very mixed feelings about the entire experience with MA and the two year long writing - it changed my life. Meeting and knowing her radically redirected my world view of many, many things.
I suppose it is always like that when encounter someone of exceptional presence.
But in all honesty, sometimes I wish (like the guy in the Matrix) I had taken the other pill. Would be nice to be back chasing women, drinking too much and as naive as a child to the dangers in the world.
Now I am spending my weekends with real estate agents looking at cabins high up in the Sierras, with a good water source and very limited access.
Some things can't be undone. It is what it is. You make a choice and the lessons learned are what makes you the person you are. While I realize that the person I once was, spent his life in a bubble of self-absorbed petty recreation - knowledge comes with a price.
I suppose this is what my depression era raised father always referred to when he said “someday you will grow up”.
Sorry to vent but it just came out.