I bought a doughnut this morning. I’d already had breakfast not an hour before, but it wasn’t an ordinary doughnut. It was a very special pastry. You wouldn’t know it by looking at it. Yes, it was topped with a caramel glaze, but not exactly fancy. It was made this morning, but it wasn’t really fresh. Maybe three hours out of the oven, which ain’t bad. No, this doughnut helped me to focus today. It put my universe in perspective, even if just for a little while. How can this be? I’ll tell you, but first-a little context. Be patient.
I’ve always loved doughnuts. There’s a shop in West Memphis, Arkansas called “Howard’s Do-Nuts” that’s been around since before I was born. The original owner passed away back in 2019, but it’s still operational. I’ve taken my own kids there, when they were in grade school. I hope they remember it as fondly as I do. That place will forever be one of my favorite memories. It was there that I discovered things like Bear Claws, cream-filled eclairs and the heavenly smell of hot, fresh pastries straight out of the oven. Any problem in life can be made better by doughnuts. That’s my opinion, and I’ll stick to it like a Sticky Bun. It may not make it go away, but nobody can be sad while eating a doughnut. That’s just science.
I bought a caramel-covered doughnut from a table set up in our hospital’s foyer, by the front door. As I said, I’d already eaten breakfast, but needed to have this doughnut. The staff were having a bake sale in honor of a young woman who passed away after a car crash last weekend. The proceeds will go to the family, to help with funeral expenses. She was in her early twenties, and her mother is a therapist here at our hospital. I’ve outlived a father and a wife, but to see a child precede you into Heaven is a pain like no other, I imagine. There are no words that can console, no salve that can heal the heart of a grieving parent. The God above that loves us all must be the one to give them peace. In no way, shape or how can my purchase and ingesting of a doughnut make their circumstance any better. The only thing it does is to remind them that they are not alone in their grief. We care that they hurt. In our tiny way, we want to show that we love them, even if we don’t know them on a personal level. Okay, I guess science isn’t always right. You can cry while eating a doughnut.
his Thanksgiving, I’m not going to be stressed. I’m going to listen to people more. Talk more. Spend more time just being there. I’m going to let the hugs linger a little longer, and not be in such a rush. I’m going to give thanks for these people in my life that love me. Remember that the food is always secondary. The food is just a sign of love. There are many who came before us that we’ll never share another meal with on this earth. Be thankful for the time you do have with them. I’ll also take care to show my love to those who are here today. You never know when you’ll get that chance again.
Life is a feast. Be thankful when the table is full.
God bless y’all.
Rolling Stones 