One day, many years ago when I was a young boy, my Grandmother told me a story of a lunch date she had with some of her closest friends. ”Aunt Florene”, as we called her growing up, although I don’t think we were actually related, was a sturdy built “blue-haired” woman of about 80 years old; a friend of my Grandmother’s from the Bomber Plant where they worked together here in Fort Worth during WWII was also at the luncheon.
My Grandmother looked intently at the menus that were presented all around; ”We all ordered salads, sandwiches and soups; everyone except for Florene, that is.”
Florene proudly stated, “I want Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, make ‘em chocolate.”
Grandma said she wasn’t for sure if her ears heard right, and the other ladies seated around the table looked puzzled as well…
“Wait!” Florene said, “I’ll take a piece of hot apple pie, too” without hesitation.
Grandma said she and the other friends seated around the table did their best to act nonchalant, as if people did this sort of thing all the time. But when our orders were brought out, Grandma said she couldn’t enjoy hers much. She said, ” Holy cow, I couldn’t take my eyes off Florene’s pile of pie & ice cream. It was distracting!” Grandma said that the other ladies looked a little uncomfortable, and ate their lunches in silence.
The next time Grandma went out to eat, she and Aunt Florene went just by themselves. Grandma said she ordered the chicken-salad on wheat bread and a small side salad. And Florene, well, she ordered a banana split!
Grandma said she gave out a slight chuckle at the sight of that banana split, when Florene asked if she amused her.
Grandma replied: ” Well yes, you do, but also you confuse me.
“How is it you order these rich desserts, while I feel like I must eat sensibly or nutritious?
Grandma said Florene laughed, and replied in her rather “matter-of-fact” attitude, ”Ethel, I’m tasting and enjoying all that’s possible. I try to eat food that I need, and do the things I should. But life’s also too short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. Florene said with a grin, and I have never been this old before!”
“So, before I die I made myself this promise.”
“I’m going to try those things that for years I had ignored or was too busy to enjoy. There’s flowers I haven’t seen or smelled yet. There’s too many books left unread. There’s more banana splits and apple pie to wolf down and kites to be flown up high. There are many stores & shops I haven’t shopped. I’ve not laughed at enough funny jokes. I’ve missed a lot of great movies, popcorn, and cokes with peanuts in ‘em. I want to walk along the surf on the beach again and feel the ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in an ‘ol country church and thank God for His grace…
I want gobs of chunky peanut butter spread on toast. I want to enjoy long distance calls to the folks I love most. I haven’t cried at enough movies yet or get soaked walking in the morning rain. I need to feel the breeze in my hair, and I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert instead of having dinner, then if I should die before the night is through, I’d say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart’s desire. I had that final chocolate fudge sundae before my life expired.”
With that, Grandma called the waitress over…
“Miss, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll have what she’s having, only add some more whipped cream and a few extra cherries on top, please!”
Godspeed,
James
~+~
{ 2 comments }
This was refreshing. I wished I could read each post, nevertheless i have to go away back to work now… Although I will return.
Thanks for your kind words, Jermaine.
Please do come back and read each post when you get the chance.
James
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