Day 20: Attitude of Gratitude

The Unfortunate Caramel Case
by: Hillary Calaway

Daddy asks if you with the rest of the kids would like to make a special trip to the candy shop. "OH YES!" you squeal with glee, jumping up and down at the prospect. You've never been to the candy shop but you've heard so much about it and you desperately want to experience it for yourself.

You pile in the family car and Dad pulls out of the driveway smiling to himself as he stares in the rear view mirror at his kiddos busily discussing all of the possibilities this day holds.

Finally you arrive and try not to hyperventilate while your younger brother struggles out of his seat belt and opens the door to get out. You skip to the glass window outside the shop, pressing your face against it, "Ooohhing" and "Aaahhing" at what you see.

Row upon row of shelves are lined with shiny glass jars bursting with every candy ever made. Candy-bars and chocolates, caramels and cookies, licorice and lollipops. Every color, combination and concoction imaginable.

You hear a throaty chuckle and turn to see Dad holding the door open and smiling as if to say "Come along then."

Upon entering, Dad instructs you to choose wisely.

You're off like a shot--but what to pick, which to choose? There's so much, and it is all interesting.

Before you know it Dad's calling your name and you look around and realize that everyone else has made their selection and gone out to the car. You trot off in the direction of his voice.

You stretch on your tip-toes to carefully place your goodies before the cashier, who raises her eyebrows than shrugs as if to say, "It's your stomach."

Dad gives the box of caramels you've chosen a once-over, then turns to ask you, "Honey, are you sure this is what you want?"

"Oh yes Daddy" you plead. "I really want to try these."

"All right", he says and he pulls out his wallet to pay the bill.

You say thanks then run to join the rest of the gang in the car, all of which are pouring over their selections and comparing one with another.

Back at home you can't wait to show Mommy what you've gotten. She grins at your enthusiasm but says no when you ask to have just one of the caramels.

"It's bedtime" she says, "and besides, you can take it with you to Aunt Gertie's."

Shucks. That's right. Tomorrow Daddy and Mommy are dropping you off to stay with Aunt Gertie for a week, who by the way smells funny and has that wiener dog that yelps at you all the time.

Three days at Aunt Gertie's and you've had it. The rules are different at her house. No playing cowboys and indians, no using the sofa cushions to make forts, and NO candy until after supper.

And about those caramels you had to have. You realize that they have nuts--you hate nuts. The treat you thought was going to be so great has ended up being a complete wreck. You hate caramels and you hate Aunt Gertie's house. It's just not fair.

You call Daddy that night to tell him you miss him and that you don't like staying here. "I know sweetheart" he says, "but it's only a few more days. You'll be home and back in my arms before you know it."

You sniffle as you tell him about your caramels. "I hate it Daddy. It isn't what I wanted. I thought it would be different. Tell Jane to share her gummy worms or make Johnny trade his gobstoppers with me. Aunt Gertie says I have to eat all of those yucky caramels-I can't Daddy. It's just too hard. Oh why did you buy them for me?"

Daddy reminds you that you chose the caramels and asks you to hand the phone to your oldest brother.

You sulk off to the bedroom and plop yourself face down on the bed.

A few minutes later your oldest brother comes in and sits beside you. He gives you a pat on the back and asks what is wrong. You tell him about it all...

"Tell you what" he says. "You do what you can to make the best of the rest of your days here and I'll help you finish off all of those caramels okay."

"Really" you say as you lift your head, a tear rolling down your dirty cheek.

"Really."
________________________

I don't know if we had any input in the trials and afflictions we face here. If we did, I'd imagine we were a little wide-eyed and innocent about it all.

I am most grateful today for an older brother to help us finish eating the nutty caramels life hands us.

(Sorry if you like nutty caramels. . .adapt it to your disliking.)