The "Please, add some more whipped cream!" Story

It was an ordinary day. Even though I still feel the effects of my shingles that I have had for four months, I still can eat some of my favorite foods. Those who know me know that I like ice cream. Matter-of-fact, a few times when we have been traveling with our friends Jerry and Just Sue, Jerry and I will have ice cream as our main meal when we go out to eat. Nothing wrong with that! Well, today, while sitting in my lounge chair that has become my home for the last week, and after thinking and thinking about what I will have for lunch, I decided to eat chocolate marshmallow ice cream. The Vicodin that I am on daily right now tend to make me "goofy", as the doctor says, and I don't feel at all like eating, but I know that I have to eat to keep up some sort of strength to fight the disease. Why not ice cream? And, if I'm still hungry I'll have one of the Whoopie Pies that my friend Pat dropped off yesterday. My longtime friend Bill from Arizona, who knows how much I like ice cream, emailed me a letter yesterday that I thought was quite appropriate. Actually, that's why I have chosen the chocolate marshmallow ice cream for lunch. I will not claim credit for what follows, but I think you will enjoy it and for my older friends and readers, make sure you follow the advice. I must admit I cried a few tears while reading it, but then added whipped cream to the grocery list. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim , a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time but when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

I smiled. He asked if he amused me and I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before." "So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.

There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."

With that, I called the waitress over. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!