This week I visited a grocery store that I rarely shop. As I was going through the checkout line, I noticed this package of large gumballs.
It brought back such vivid childhood memories of love, love, loving packages of giant purple gumballs or the red ones that were cinnamony. I recall there were some lime green colored ones, too, that were tart apple flavored.
What I do not recall is my mother buying these things for me. I was one of six kids and she couldn’t buy something for each child every time we asked. Also, my parents were on a tight budget and candy, soda and store-bought cookies were considered quite superfluous.
However, as a young teen when I could make a few bucks baby-sitting or doing the family ironing, I occasionally splurged and bought my own giant gumballs.
No wonder our family dentist always beamed when he saw me walk through the door. I worked myself up to quite a few sugary cavities when I was in junior high school.
So this week, momentarily, I was 13 years old again, with the advantage of being 60 and knew I could buy as many dang packages of beautifully-colored gumballs as my heart desired. Though I bought only one and have enjoyed them very much.
Occasionally there are sweet (very sweet), simple joys found in being an older adult.