I am an eavesdropper–there, I said it. If you happen to be sitting near me at a restaurant, I am as interested in your conversation as in the one at my table. I can’t help myself. I’ve tried, but there have been far too many times when I have leaned over and said, “I couldn’t help but hear what you were saying …” and then proceeded to give them some unwanted advice.
Recently though, I wished I had not been eavesdropping because the conversation was one that made me want to jump up and scream. No, they weren’t talking about politics or religion. Nor were they telling inappropriate jokes. They were complaining that Girl Scout cookies were unhealthy—don’t hyperventilate, you haven’t missed your chance to buy Thin Mints. (Our Scouts don’t sell cookies until spring.)
I was a Girl Scout leader for five years. It was actually one of my more entertaining volunteer opportunities. We were a bit of a nontraditional troop. I am pretty sure we were the only one that had a swear jar—for me, the leader, not the girls. Back to the point here: The highlight of each year was selling cookies. Our troop was amazing. The girls understood the connection between the cookies we sold and the fun we could have as a result of the money we raised.
It was their earliest lesson in cash flow analysis, and they understood it completely. It also seemed like our parents were in the payback mode of making sure anyone who had ever sold them a candy bar, popcorn or raffle ticket was going to purchase a box—or 10— of cookies. And to be honest, Girl Scout cookies are a pretty easy
sell since they are delicious!
The money we raised was used wisely. We made Christmas stockings to donate to Nurses for Newborns and collected personal products for homeless shelters. We learned manners, CPR and quilting. And after being together for five years, we finally took our obligatory campout by staying at the DoubleTree hotel, followed by a trip to a friend’s farm, where I spent most of my time making sure the girls were not attacked by chickens and cows. You can’t be too careful around wildlife.
So here these people were complaining about the most delectable treat on earth that you can buy only once a year. They wanted a ‘healthy choice.’ Please, I love the cookies just the way they are. Yes, I can eat a sleeve of thin mints in one sitting, but who cares? A little weight gain is OK at my age. It fills out my face. What is wrong with a little indulgence every once in a while? Can we not enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures without demanding the nutritional and calorie count? When did we need a menu to tell us that the taco salad has more calories than the mixed field greens? Please, Girl Scouts, don’t listen to the people contacting you about changing the cookies. Just say no. I guarantee there are more people like me who look forward to those delightful treats, and it’s not for their nutritional value.
And by the way, you just know those people I was eavesdropping on hand out apples for Halloween.
[Contact patty at phamum@townandstyle.com .]
