When I was 17 or so, I got a gumball machine for my bedroom. While I was living in Cerritos, I kept it stocked with colorful gumballs. From time to time I'd put in a penny and enjoy a sugary orb, and Alice did the same.Then I moved away to college and maintained the contents less regularly, although I know I filled it at least once during my college years. Once I moved out of my mom's house, I stopped refilling the machine because it was no longer a priority.
It had a sufficient quantity of gum, though, and Alice continued to put in her coins and chew the fun bubblegum. Between her frequent visits with my mother, as well as her on-again off-again residence in my mom's house, she slowly went through all the gum in the machine.
During a recent visit, I felt a pang of pain, and yearning as I saw through the glass container, its belly totally empty. It tore me up inside, I felt regret that I hadn't refilled the machine recently so that Alice could partake in gum-chewing, and think of me, more easily.
Tears spill out of my eyes as I think of the momentary glee she might have felt, and instead, the disappointment she must have met the last couple of times she went by my room looking for a gumball.
In the end she probably consumed more gum than I did. Alice really knew how to savor some of life's little pleasures.
1 comment:
Ms Chahinian was my first grade teacher at ag minassian and my class was her last homeroom at the school. She was one of the best teachers I've ever had and this is almost 10 years after having her. She is always in our hearts and my old friends and I talk about her time to time and we miss her dearly. We never knew she passed away until a year ago or so unfortunately :/
I know a few years have passed but I'm the pain of losing someone so amazing as her must still be there.
My Condolences to you and your family
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