"Lunch with Friends"

"Hey, money might talk, but chocolate ice cream sings ...”

This was sent to me by a dear friend and I value his friendship very much.  After you read this, I think you'll understand ...

Lunch with Friends
[Author Unknown]

"Not long ago, I had lunch with some friends. Bob, a long-time widower, short, balding, golfer-type about 69 years-old, came along with them.  All in all, we were a pleasant group.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, all except for Bob who said, "Ice Cream, please ---two scoops. Make both of them chocolate."

At first, I wasn't sure I heard him right, and the others were aghast. "Oh, and with that bring some heated apple pie." Bob added, completely unabashed.

The rest of us tried to act nonchalant, as if people we knew did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I found I didn't enjoy mine.  I couldn't take my eyes off Bob as his pie a-la-mode went down. I noticed the other guys couldn't believe it either. They ate their lunches silently and grinned suspiciously.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Bob. While I ordered a white meat tuna sandwich on whole grain bread, he asked the waitress to bring him a caramel parfait.

When I smiled, he asked, “Do I amuse you?”

I answered, "Yes, you do, Bob, but you also confuse me. How come you order rich desserts for lunch, while I feel I have to be sensible?"

Bob laughed and explained, "I'm tasting all that’s possible.  I do still try to eat the foods I need, and I do the things I should do so I'll stay healthy, but listen, life is too short, my friend! I hate missing out on something good.

On my birthday this year, I suddenly realized how old I am."  He smiled, thoughtfully.  "I haven't ever been this old before. Before I die, I've decided to try the things I have always ignored.

I haven't smelled all the flowers yet, or fished all the trout streams. There are more hot fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown over my head in the wind.

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

I want to wade barefoot in puddles again and feel the ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church one more time and thank God for everything in my life. I want peanut butter spread every morning on my toast; I want un-timed long distance calls to all the people I love the most.

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

So, my friend, if I choose to have dessert instead of having dinner and then I die before bedtime, I'll know 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 ended and I would die a happy man."

With that, I called the waitress over. "S'cuse me, Ma'am. I've changed my mind. I want what he's having --only I’d like even more whipped cream!"

-*-

CJ, this is my gift to you --let's make this our annual Friends’ Day and we’ll go out to dinner together. The rest of the year, we'll live well, love much, laugh often and --in other words, we'll be happy.  

And we have to be mindful that our happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige. It's all about relationships with the people we like and love and respect the most.

Hey, money might talk, but chocolate ice cream sings ...”

(Thank you, Craig Latham!  Love and hugs my dear friend).

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
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