Priority Planning

Written By Jonathan Krogh

Dear Indulgence Seekers:

Stepping back from the counter with comically massive servings of premium ice cream billowing above our small disposable bowls, the two of us stood poking plastic spoons into four carefully curated flavors, capping off an end-of-summer New England evening. Watching the steady flow of customers stroll from car to serving window and back again, cones and cups brimming with creamy deliciousness, we couldn’t help but notice a short elderly woman carefully balancing two servings substantially larger than our own. Her order nearly eclipsed her head as she returned to her car with a massive smile.

Beyond full, we waddled to our car parked next to the woman who, with the help of her friend and driver had just loaded the precious cargo into their vehicle, precariously balancing the cups on the center console armrest. Since windows were down, I remarked how that was a significant amount of ice cream for just two.

Thrilled that someone noticed, and beyond pleased with their ingenuity, they quickly spilled the details of their plot as they undertook a carefully choreographed repackaging ballet. The driver, too frail to have assisted with the purchase, was armed with an ice cream scoop. While her project-partner carefully steadied each cup, she transferred the velvety dessert into a large Hefty® food storage container. The two giggled as if they were dividing the loot from a successful bank heist.

Experienced ice cream stand patrons, they explained how the hand-packed pint containers were a rip-off because the cheaper large servings netted far more than a pint. “They smash the lid down, so you don’t get all of this!” passenger-side accomplice announced, pointing to the mound of slowly melting confection billowing from the cup. As the driver scraped the bottom of the first serving with a smaller spoon, she added, “This way we get WAY more for the price!”

Laughing with the confidence of two conspirators having just ‘stuck-it-to-the-man’ the first woman produced from her bag a fresh empty cone. “We tried this before and asked them for cones too, but they charged a dollar EACH!” Appalled by the price gouging she continued, “so, we stopped at the grocery store and for only two dollars we got twelve!” Her partner lightly scolded her for losing focus as she began to transfer from the second cup.

As we got into the car, we couldn’t help but share our admiration for their scheme, no detail was neglected in plot or execution. I remarked if all this work was for the consumption of alcohol I would point out they had a problem; but because it was for ice cream their priorities were clearly in the right place. They both nodded in agreement, unable to speak as they were indulging in the produce of their success.

For me, this encounter was a few moments of a vacation. For them it was just another well-planned summer evening. Their enthusiasm was beyond contagious, having arrived at a point in life when their best laid plans came together successfully, not the fulfilling of whims of other people’s agendas, but their own modest self-indulgence. It reminded me that perhaps I spend too much time sweating the small stuff. And perhaps I need to pay deeper attention to the important things of life, like ice cream.

Pledging to try more flavors in the future, I remain

With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor

Jonathan Krogh
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