When I was little nothing thrilled me more at a restaurant than to get one of those cute bright colored paper umbrellas in my drink. Pure joy! There was one place in particular we would go, as a big treat, in Joliet, IL, Merichkas, where my parents allowed us to order kitty cocktails. And what a treat this was! My parents loved the food there…I, well…I was satisfied with the “funness” added to my drink. I’m not even sure I really liked the cherry-flavored 7-up, or whatever kitty cocktails are even made of. So, you can imagine my childlike spirit leapt for joy when I read the following blog post:
As things are, there is little to smile about these days. So, I have started my own campaign to make people smile. I distribute those wee, paper umbrellas. I bought a gross of them & started at home by putting one in my husband’s evening wine. He arched an eyebrow & flicked it out, but I could tell he was secretly thrilled. Encouraged by this I put one in my daughter’s water, & she was delighted.
Later I stabbed several into her dinner.
“Are we expecting rain in the kitchen?” she quipped.
“I’m just spreading a little joy, baby,” I said.
“Well do it someplace else, please,” she responded.
“GOOD IDEA!!!” I enthused. My crusade had begun…(read the rest..)
One of the 78 million baby boomers, Jan, shared this story on a fun blog called Aging Hipsters, The Baby Boomer Generation. Ok, now why didn’t I think of this? I love the concept. This is an example of a full-grown adult, defying the laws of man and “society” and refusing to let adulthood dictate the level of her happiness. Jan is truly Escaping Adulthood.
Jan’s story goes on and she shares about some of the positive and negative reactions she has received from her mission. Not only does this story make me want to jump on Oriental Trading’s site and buy a big box of paper umbrellas it inspires me TODAY to look around and to find a way to escape this adultitis that plagues me often. Thanks Jan!
We were at Target the other day and in the dollar section they had a nice size container of straws with umbrellas. And yes, I did bring them home
Love your post about our post—needless to say, our friend is still spreading cheer wherever she goes. Which brings me to a small nitpicky point of attribution: as I mentioned in the header of the story, it was written by a great friend and is her story. I wish I were both as bold and a joyful as she is, but at least I can appreciate and applaud it in others. Swing by Aging Hipsters any old time and remind us again that we do not have to be grown ups if we don’t want to.