What would you do in pursuit of snacks?
Recently I took a little roadtrip with three of my kids.
On the way we stopped at a roadside rest station and the kids wanted snacks from the vending machine. I got Little Boy some Doritos and GG a Dr. Pepper.
(Little Girl had remained in the car. She wants us to think that she never-ever has to pee, or at least this is the position she maintains at all costs when we visit rest areas.)
Then I wanted a Diet Coke, but I had used all of my one-dollar bills and was almost out of change. The Diet Coke was $2. I had put all of the silver change in my wallet into the machine and the display read $1.90.
I now had only pennies left, and without much hope I tried inserting one. It came back out; the total remained $1.90.
I needed a dime. “I’m a dime short!” I complained. Suddenly Little Boy said, “Hey! I see one! There’s a dime!”
We all looked. The dime gleamed on the dirty floor between the drink and snack machine, all the way back next to the wall.
But the machines were housed behind locked iron bars to prevent vandalism or theft.
How could we get that dime? I really wanted that Diet Coke!
Little Boy wanted to help me. He is thirteen now, and has gotten a lot taller recently. He got down on the ground and stretched one newly-elongated arms out through the bars, straining to reach.
GG and I watched in trepidation as he reached … and almost touched the dime.
Then he found a stick and used it to scrape the dime forward enough so that he could grasp it.
Triumphantly he stood and handed me the coin. I was so excited.
“You are the best of sons!” I exclaimed as I put the coin in and pressed the button.
The Diet Coke came obediently out of the spot. Ah, the sweet elixir! I was so happy.
That kid has earned his mother’s eternal gratitude!
christinakosatka.com 