As I settled into my “Comfy Chair” for a well-deserved afternoon nap, I reflected upon my very successful day! First, I woke up at 6:00 am, feeling groggy from eating a ton of leftover Halloween candy the night before. I made coffee, fed the dogs, and fed myself a wonderful breakfast of eggs & fresh bagel, coffee, and honey and cinnamon on the last bagel bite. It was truly a tummy-busting but healthy breakfast. Then I dressed warmly, went outside, and picked up all the lovely poochie presents left in the yard by my adorable doggies. Next, I put out the garbage and ran to the drugstore to pick up my prescriptions and a few other impulse items; it seems I cannot walk past a half-off sale. Next, I ate lunch at the local Mexican diner and returned home in time for my afternoon nap!
I pulled my warm Halloween throw blanket over me, cocooned my body deep into my “Comfy Chair,” and awaited the glory of a rejuvenating afternoon nap to commence! As I was drifting into nirvana land, I felt a tug on my shoulder: “Joel, why did you buy twelve bags of Halloween candy? I found them on the kitchen table.”
I groggily replied, “They were half off at the pharmacy!” My wife responded:” You already bought four bags for Halloween, and we did not have any kids stop by!” “Unless you have a note from your doctor stating that you can now eat candy, because you have achieved your weight goal and are no longer diabetic, I want you to get up and drive to the Sacred Heart Mission and donate all of the unopened bags of candy and the clothing we selected to donate right now!” “Wait, give away the candy I just bought on sale; I can eat it a little at a time; it will be gone by next Halloween or Thanksgiving!” “This is nourishment for the soul! This is not just candy; it’s leftover Halloween Candy! This is my childhood revisited, I used to walk for miles and spend hours filling up my pillowcase with goodies to enjoy the Halloween after-glow!” “I love Halloween candy, the variety, the yumminess, and it’s already in individually wrapped size-appropriate servings. Please do not take away some of my best childhood memories!” I pleaded. She responded:” You still have those childhood memories stored around your waistline, now get moving and donate this stuff so other children can start their own memories!”
I reluctantly jumped into my car and drove to the mission. I sat in the parking lot, getting up the will to drop off my glorious cache; when the spirit moved me, I carried in a huge shopping bag of my special Halloween candy and another huge bag filled with items to donate; inside, I went to donate my items. “Good afternoon, Joel!’ “We were wondering if you were going to come in and donate your Halloween candy this year!” “Wait, I’ve done this before?” I asked? “Why yes, every year!” They responded. Then I remembered, yes, I have done this every year. In my sugar coma from eating Halloween candy, I go to the pharmacy every year and, stock up on half-price candy, bring it home. Then my wife coerced me to donate the candy to the mission. I set the colossal bag down on the counter, smiled, and said,” I hope the children receiving the candy will enjoy it!” I walked away with a good feeling in my heart, the kind of feeling you get when you’re being charitable! Please donate items to your favorite Church, Mission, or charity this holiday season! It also felt good that I would not be complaining about the extra weight I put on over the winter!
“Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others. – © Joel M. Vernier October 31, 2022 Author of: “The Guinea Pig In The Freezer”. joelmvernier@aol.com
