| Chocolate Sings By Barbara Trimble RN, M. Ed |
One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old “blue hair” about 80 years old, came along with them. All in all, it was a pleasant
bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae, 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,” Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried
to act 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 Mae
as her apple pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.
The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait! I smiled. She asked if she
amused me. I answered, “Yes, you do, but you also confuse me. Why do you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?”
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, “I’m tasting all that’s 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.” She 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 books I
haven’t read. There are more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven’t shopped. I have
not laughed at all the jokes. I’ve missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
I want to wade again in the water and feel the 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 in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have
dessert instead of having dinner, then should I die before nightfall, 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 she’s 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 love and respect. Keep your
eyes wide open, body relaxed but engaged, addressing things that need to be addressed. Feeling our emotions freely – sometimes we will
be up, sometimes we will be down, and yes, eating more chocolate, why not? Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS.
Barbara Trimble RN, M. Ed. is Founder and President of Extended Family, a premium and comprehensive provider of support services,
helping older adults stay home, while enhancing their independence, good health and engagement in life. Started in Portsmouth, Extended
Family is currently expanding to new locations. For more information call (603) 834-4513 or visit their
website at: www.extended-family.net
bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae, 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,” Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried
to act 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 Mae
as her apple pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.
The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait! I smiled. She asked if she
amused me. I answered, “Yes, you do, but you also confuse me. Why do you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?”
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, “I’m tasting all that’s 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.” She 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 books I
haven’t read. There are more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven’t shopped. I have
not laughed at all the jokes. I’ve missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
I want to wade again in the water and feel the 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 in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have
dessert instead of having dinner, then should I die before nightfall, 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 she’s 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 love and respect. Keep your
eyes wide open, body relaxed but engaged, addressing things that need to be addressed. Feeling our emotions freely – sometimes we will
be up, sometimes we will be down, and yes, eating more chocolate, why not? Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS.
Barbara Trimble RN, M. Ed. is Founder and President of Extended Family, a premium and comprehensive provider of support services,
helping older adults stay home, while enhancing their independence, good health and engagement in life. Started in Portsmouth, Extended
Family is currently expanding to new locations. For more information call (603) 834-4513 or visit their
website at: www.extended-family.net
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The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.