One day I had lunch with some old friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type, about 85-years old, came along with them; all in all, it was a pleasant bunch.
When the menus were presented, my friends and I ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, “A large piece of home-made apple pie, heated please.”
I wasn’t sure my ears heard him right, and the others were aghast, when Jim continued, completely unabashed…”along with two large scoops of vanilla ice cream.”
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 eating mine.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of Jim as I watched him savoring each bite of his pie a-la-mode. The other guys just grinned in disbelief as they silently ate their lunches.
The next time I went out to eat, I called Jim and invited him to join me. I lunched on a white meat tuna sandwich, while he ordered a chocolate parfait. Since I was chuckling, he wanted to know if he amused me.
I answered, “Yes, you certainly do, but you also confuse me. How come you always order such rich desserts, while I feel like I must be sensible in my food choices?”
He laughed and said “I’m tasting all that is possible for me to taste. I try to eat the food I need and do the things I should in order to stay healthy, but life’s too short, my friend. I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I’ve never been this old before, so, while I’m still here, I’ve decided it’s time to try all those things that, for years, I’ve been ignoring.”
He continued, “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 one 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 nightfall, I’d say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart’s desire. I had that final piece of pie before my life expired.”
With that, I called the waitress over.. “I’ve changed my mind, ” I said. “I want what he’s having, only add some more whipped cream!”
Hat tip: Weezie
Image Credit: Ashley Thomas
I like the way he thinks. I try to live it up as best I can every day, but when the kids are grown, watch out! I'm really going to pull out all of the stops! 🙂
Have a lovely day!
I behave often too, but I really liked this guys philosophy. 🙂
I love pie.
big hugs xoxo (and smoochies from Gracie)
I love pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream. 🙂
a good way to live. I wonder what Wade would say if I made pie for dinner?….lol
You'd probably get the stink eye. 🙂
There is a certain amount of truth to it. It's why i let my inner child have coconut milk lattes and the substitute ice cream while we were in Disney World, the stuff i don't indulge in daily.
I know you have a ball on your vacation. I enjoyed tagging along. 🙂
I often think that way myself. Life is just way to short to not enjoy it. I would sure go for a piece if pie for lunch. How yummy would that be??? Sandee, you and Zane and that Little Bit too have a fantastic day.
Life is too short not to enjoy it. Have the pie Marg. 🙂
He's totally correct. God only knows when you will die and after my stroke in 1977, yes I'm still here but I was suppose to die. That is why each day I wake up I thank Him above for that day and want to enjoy that day. Yes, you still have to be careful but, heck have that piece of pie or cake or whatever.
Have a great Tuesday Sandee and enjoy that donut and an extra cup of coffee my friend. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
I know you enjoy life to the fullest. So do I Paul. 🙂
I hope he enjoyed his after dessert cigar.
He just may have. Great idea. 🙂
I like his style. A lot of good advice in today's post.
Me too Jean. We need to enjoy life more and quit worrying about every little thing. 🙂
Pass me some pie! Yes, we need to enjoy each and every day to the fullest. We do, and you and Zane do, too. Blessed.
Big hugs, honey…
Yes, you do and we do. It's the only way. Big hugs back honey. 🙂
Moderation. I finally learned that after many years.
Hello my dear friend! Roche' said to tell you he is not ignoring you but he's in love with the new gay neighbor above me. We are invited to dinner there tonight, he's trying on everything in his closet this morning.
smiles, bee
xoxo
Don't forget the hot glue gun! bahahahaha!
Yes, moderation. It's hard to do sometime, but you've mastered moderation.
I sure Roche is making a mess too. 🙂
Yes, at what Barb said. He'll be looking hot tonight. 🙂
I would love a pecan pie with lots of whip cream, please 🙂
That sound good. I'll have mine with vanilla ice cream please. 🙂
The older I get, the more I think that moderation in all things implies moderation in moderation as well. Of course I'm not 85 yet, but little by little, I allow myself a bit of rule breakage as the years roll by. When I reach 85, you all better watch out! 😉
Yes, one can overdo on many things. We still need to enjoy the finer things in life now and then. 🙂
now that is some pawesome advice!!! "Life is short, eat dessert first!"
I've had dessert first before. It's every so much fun.
Scritches to Cody. 🙂
Dessert for lunch is an awesome concept. 🙂
I like the pink on the blog!
Yes it is. I'm going to go have a sandwich for lunch. I don't have any dessert in the house.
Thanks, I needed some color. 🙂
You're in California, right? I'm in Michigan…I need some color!! hahaha I haven't seen sun since before Christmas. 😉 🙂 😀
Yes, I'm in California. We have pretty good weather here all year. Mild winters and no snow here. Most of the time the sun is shining. 🙂
I quite like the idea of just dessert hmmm I might try it heheh! with a smidgen of whipped cream 🙂
Have a doughnuttastic day :-h
Dessert or not, it's all about enjoying life every single day. Whip cream or not. 🙂
Maybe when I reach 85 I'll order pie.
Okay Joe. That's a plan. 🙂
HE HAS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE! whoops did not mean to yell!
You can yell over here anytime you want. 🙂
Youth is wasted on the young. It's an absolute pity that many truths are not seen until the eyes dim as the years fly by.
It sure is. We are so much wiser now. We know what's important and what's not. 🙂
I liked this one glad you did sometimes I do just eat whatever I want 🙂
I loved this. Thanks for sending it my way. Pass the pie my friend. 🙂
Life is short so guess he had the right idea!
Hope you had a great day Sandee! Scritches to Little Bit!
When you get our ages you start thinking about just enjoying life. You've a lot of years yet to get there. 🙂
You should enjoy yourself, but you also need some moderation. Unless you're talking about chocolate.
Bring on that chocolate. 🙂
I like your friend Jim's attitude! That is exactly how I want to live my life. Living, tasting, experiencing it all and die a winner because I did!
And we can all live our lives this way. Yes we can. 🙂
Dear Sandee, This is a wonderful post to remind us how a day in the life may be so brief and to simple enjoy. I am so glad I read this. I think we all need a little eye opening. Great advice my friend. xoxox Catherine
I've a feeling that you live life pretty much like this already.
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday Dear Catherine,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you.♪♪
This remids me of the famous tamil movie song"Chinna chinna aasai…", which means small desires I have in my heart for a long time. It goes like this:
I want to touch the moon and kiss it
I want the Earth to revolve around me
I want to catch the fish and then let it go to the waters
I want to sit and slide on the rainbow …
Wow, this is great my friend. Says the same thing only far better. 🙂
A touching piece Sandee but it does sound like Jim's trying to speed up his death eating all that kinda stuff
Well, he's certainly enjoying life. 🙂
love this! now I want pie….with whipped cream