Poppies

 Yesterday, E* declared he was sick and that he wasn't going to school the next day.

Strange for a boy who won't miss school, even when I offer it.

Then, he slept all afternoon...and most of this morning.

So, I promised him some Mc Donalds after I ran a couple of errands.

Last stop was the Golden Arches drive thru.  

But as I was just about to pass the building I saw a wise, old man with a VFW Cap and

a bucket full of poppies in his hands.

I pulled over into a parking space...and hopped out...gleefully!

As I handed him a donation and he handed me a flower, I gushed 

how I "never see you guys any more!"  He got a chuckle out of that.

I went on to explain how my grandmother and mother always bought poppies for their cars.

A couple of months ago, I got a new car and I had to transfer my old, sad looking flower into the new car.  He replied, "Well, then, have another!"

I said I would give it to Ken for his car.  Though I bet my mom would cherish is more.

Then, I smiled all the way home.

As we feasted on fries and burgers that I had purchased using snoopy money,

I told Evan about this past of ours...and this gentleman I had spoken with for a brief moment.

The three bucks I gave him far outweighed the 3 dollars I spent on a burger and fry.

And...My new car has a new Poppy and I got to share a family story with E*.

I love Poppies!

And my family and their values.