The parson was enjoying a rainbow sherbert ice cream cone with a granddaughter and grandson. His attention was focused on the younger of the two who was unknowingly licking up the drip soaked paper napkin that surrounded his afternoon treat. The parson attempted to adjust the napkin and finally gave up and settled for removing it altogether and tucking a fresh one into the collar of the child's shirt.
“You can take a bite of it, you know,” said the parson. The grandson nodded and did so once. He then returned to licking with a smile on his face.
“You're really into spoiling these kids,” said Jason Purdue, who sat across the table from the parson. Jason was a prominent lay person in the area who'd been talking with the parson about starting a shelter for homeless women.
“Ah, that's what grandkid's are for,” the parson said. “Besides I don't count this as spoiling since they didn't ask for the treat.” The parson followed the remark with a generous lick of the black cherry double dip in a sugar cone he held in his hand. His was not dripping like the grandchild. He took a bite often to prohibit that.
Jason turned to watch a young man about eighteen walk into the deli / ice cream establishment. The parson followed the eyes of his friend and noticed the young man, too. He stood at the counter ready to receive the cone the young lady was dipping. In his right hand was a five dollar bill. Under his left arm was a new shoe box with the recognizable swish on it. Ice cream cone received and paid for, change tucked into a pocket he turned and walked out of the establishment, calling out as he left, “Hey, Parson, see you Sunday.”
“Speaking of spoiled,” said Jason, “did you see that shoe box. I bet you those shoes cost $80. This rising generation is spoiled rotten.”
“Maybe not,” said the parson. “Let me tell you a story.”
The parson then told him a story about an eighteen-year-old kid who went on a mission trip to Haiti. Seeing the poverty there he was moved. He returned home in a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. The rest of his clothing he'd given away.
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