INSPIRASUNS

Yesterday we celebrated my husband’s birthday. It was a good day, nothing fancy, no big party, although we did sing happy birthday to him during our weekly team meeting. Oh, and we did buy his favorite birthday cake for the meeting, the lemon cake from “Nothing Bundt Cake”. Wow, there is a shameless plug 🙂 .

Anyway, he got many birthday texts and phone calls, and people who came into the office wished him a wonderful day. Yes, it was nice.

As we were getting ready to leave, he smiled and said, “So, where are we going?”. To which I just replied, “Your day, wherever you’d like”. We pondered a bit and even got on the road before totally deciding. He decided on a place downtown just to get an appetizer and a salad (and perhaps a birthday beverage).

It was a beautiful evening, and all the restaurants had their doors and windows open. We took seats at the bar, near those open windows and doors, and enjoyed a simple dinner and conversation. The place wasn’t packed, but there were several couples and groups at the large bar.

When we were wrapping up, we noticed the server had set desserts in front of two of the couples at the bar, each with a candle in the chocolate creation. They, too, were celebrating birthdays. I told my husband that we could mention that it was his birthday too if he wanted one of those desserts. At that point, he just looked at me and said, “Nope, I know what I want, my favorite ice cream. We’re going to “Royal Scoop”. Ok then, that was decided!

We left not long after and indeed headed to his favorite ice cream place. He was craving his single scoop of peppermint ice cream (which has the small pieces of the red and green peppermint candies in it) with chocolate sauce. When we got there, I noticed families out on the patio enjoying their ice cream. It really is a great place.

In we went, ordered our favorites, and headed back out for a seat. We sat and chatted and people-watched. Families were arriving with little ones racing to the door to peer at all the flavors. It was so refreshing to watch. Kind of like the old days. Families being together, enjoying simplicity. No one was glued to a phone, no tech devices, just people laughing, talking, and enjoying ice cream.

This morning, as I look back on that little bit of time, I can’t help but think about the memories created around just going to get ice cream. Think about those children who will remember racing to that door. Think about the parents remembering the bubble gum blue ice cream covering the face of their little boy. Yes, simple times, simple memories, but priceless.

I smile as I think about my husband and his peppermint ice cream and chocolate sauce. More than that, though, I thank Father for the simple gift of ice cream and the memories that gift creates.

Have a good day, friends, and hey, make some memories today, stop by your favorite ice cream joint, and enjoy. Then, take a moment to thank the Lord for the time to do so.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.