Thursday, December 31, 2009

Stuff People Have Said that Amuses Me

Last night as our family was driving together in one car, we were forced to talk to each other. It is rare that the 4 of us have a conversation together.

I was telling them how we got all this chocolate at work, sent to us by vendors. Well there was a box of cookies and a box of cherry cordials that was still unopened a week after Christmas. So yesterday I announced to my floor that my mother volunteers at the food bank, and if no one objected, I was going to take these unopened sweets to her so she could donate them the next time she worked. One person said I should have done that a week ago with all the chocolates we got. So I put them in my bag and brought them home. Well, 20 year old son Joe, who tends to see things in black and white, was dumbfounded: "you don't bring cherry cordials to a food bank." "Why not?" I asked. "Because those people don't eat cherry cordials. They need canned goods." I explained that it would be nice for one of "those people" to take home something sweet; something they wouldn't ordinarily buy, and an argument (aka a lively discussion) ensued til we finally dropped the topic because one never wins an argument with Joe. I will bring the stuff over to my mother in the next few days.

And speaking of my mother, I was thinking about one of my favorite remarks she has ever made. We went shopping one night at a strip center with a big parking lot. It was raining out. She started to pull into a space, and I told her it was a handicapped space; she hadn't seen the sign. And she said "oh, 'they' won't be out tonight." Now my mother is not a mean person; she has spent most of her life volunteering for multiple causes. That remark just stuck with me and I told a friend about it and whenever we can't find a parking space somewhere, she'll say we should just park in a handicapped spot cause they won't be out today.

Then, although it doesn't come under the category "stuff people have said that amuses me" - I was thinking about a dinner we had at my parents a few weeks ago. My mother went to bring out a box of chocolates she had bought for the occasion, and found that someone had opened them. Given that the only person who lives with my mother is my father, she was very angry at him. Half the chocolates were gone. My father said he didn't know she bought them for this occasion. Never mind that my mother is allergic to chocolate. We all laughed but my mother was not amused. Later my sister told me that whenever my mother goes out, my 86 year old father, who lost his vision a few years ago, goes searching through the house for candy. I love seeing the child in all of us.

11 comments:

Perpetual Chocoholic said...

Yummy, cherry cordials!

If I went to a food bank, tell Joe I'd rather have cherry chocolates than canned vegetables;-) Also, it's a little extra for them. They don't take away canned goods to give them something special. lol.

The Last Post said...

I love the funny things people say too, especially when they are being serious at the time.

I especially liked the episode with the chocolates.

Mama-Face said...

Good stories, all. I have to laugh over your comment of arguing with your 20 year old son...I have a daughter who always has to have the last word; there's no winning with her.

happy new year.

Jeanie said...

Knowing Joe, this is an argument I can hear! Tell him that when the station had its drive for the food bank this past November/December, we asked the food bank if there was anything in particular we should mention people bring, as their website focused on high protein items, stews, peanut butter, dinner-in-a-box kind of things as being most critical. They said particularly during the holidays, things like desserts, treats, candy, cake mixes, etc. was especially needed because folks really needed something more festive. So, I think getting that to them is spot on!

Happy New Year!

Sharon said...

I remember going to volunteer at a food bank a few years ago and someone had donated hundreds of bottles of Starbuck's Frappacino. At first I thought how odd it was; after all, people need proteins and veggies more, but then I realized that it was really nice that there was going to be this wonderful treat in the baskets we were preparing! I can just hear Joe arguing with you, though!


I love the idea of your dad searching for candy. I think that we should make him some chocolates or some kind of treat. We can sneak them over to him and that way it will be more fun.

mommakin said...

People without much deserve a treat too, absolutely. Sometimes we need to feed the soul as well as the body. I had a friend once who didn't have much. I remember one Christmas I bought her a beautiful silk scarf. I thought she should have something lovely. I didn't think about how impractical that was given her circumstances. She thought it was a weird gift. I thought it was a thoughtful gift. Oh well.

Traci said...

I love the image of your father sneaking around the house looking for candy in your mother's absence. How cute!

I hope that 2010 brings you many moments of amusement and love. All my best to you and yours in the new year!
:-)

Delaney said...

Way to go Dad! Love that story. :)

fullsoulahead.com said...

Your dad sounds great. I think you should make him a secret chocolate stash!

Sandy said...

A Christmas charity that I coordinate started a food drive a couple years ago and we had great success. At the end of our big week in December when we feed a couple hundred volunteers who help out we had a couple dozen liters of soda left over. Someone suggested adding them to the food drive which I thought was a great idea. Just because someone is in need doesn't mean they don't deserve something special. I actually think it means they DO.

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