Ice Cream Cones

One of my editors happens to be my mother. When I originally asked her to proof read something for me, she hesitated; in fact, she didn’t want to leave her house to proof read for me. After much coaxing and bribery, she did. What an experience that was. For more than five hours she sat at my computer smiling, laughing and crying while looking over (and answering) the questions in our Blisstory Journal. For days afterward, she would call to share another detail she remembered from her childhood.

I realized how little I really knew about her. In fact, what do we really know about anyone, including ourselves? Don’t answer that just yet. Take a look at the person closest to you. Do you know what his/her favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is? Do you know if they’ve ever built a snow man? Do you know what famous person they’d like to take to lunch? Do you know the top ten things on their “Bliss List?”

My mom shared a story about going out for an ice cream. On a weekly basis, she would ask her own mother if they could all go to the ice cream store. Her mom would say, “Sure, if your dad doesn’t mind.” She would then go tell her father that her mom wanted to go for an ice cream and off they would go. Wow! Do you think my grandparents ever caught on? I’m guessing they both cherished the moments!

As for me, I played softball every summer for as long as I can remember. After every game, win or lose, my coach (my dad) would take the team for ice cream. That was more of a highlight for me than playing the game. Everyone would gather around with their cones and listen to the pep talk the coach would give about the team; ending with a positive note on how we’d get ‘em next time! No matter how good or bad we played, those moments made everything seem “ok”.

Ask the person sitting in the room with you, “Where’d you go for ice cream when you were a kid?” Don’t stop at that; ask them what their favorite invention is. The answers may surprise you!