Lunchtime. Usually a green salad. And piece of fruit. Or soup.
Today, this hungry sparrow found her way to the Golden Arches. The same arches disdained by mr. sparrow and most all family and friends.
“One hamburger and one small fry,” says sparrow.
“That will be $1.90,” muffles the invisible order taker.
So what do you get for $1.90?
A warmed up flattened out hamburger. And wimpy fries.
Opening the bag, suddenly I’m 8 again, where opening up the Golden Arches bag is a highlight of our month. The rules come flooding back: pick 2. You can’t have a pop, fries, and a hamburger. Pick 2. Dad’s rule. A good rule. A rule I still follow.
So what did I get for $1.90?
Wrapped inside that not-so-tasty-nor-nutritional meal is a link to a treasured memory.
A link to other “rules” – more principles to guide us when we might start losing our way. Remembering Dad’s voice. A voice who knew the best advice wasn’t his, it was advice found in the living words, the Bible. The Rule Book turned Grace Book.
Grace. Dad’s words. My Bible.
I got my money’s worth today. And I like to think that if Dad were here today he too would say about the long ago Golden Arch lunches, “so did I, Monkey, so did I.”
Just for the record, so you don’t think I’m part of the McDonald’s clean-plate club, I did leave 2 fries.
Better than a Happy Meal!
Margi
Comment or email – monkjo@live.com
quiet chatter 