Christian Living

THE LEMONADE STAND

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
12/15/21
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“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (I Cor 13:11)

Remember that saying of times gone by, “living the life of Riley”?  So, do you ever go back to the past in your mind? Do you experience the luxurious, carefree existence of re-living those good ole days? Perhaps this is the life of Riley. For me, it's not necessarily living the life of Riley, but enjoying life nonetheless.

As I was pushing along on my old hot rod scooter with the upside-down bucket tied on to resemble a motor bike, pushing on down that familiar cracked neighborhood sidewalk, all the older boys were peddling those big expensive racer bikes and living the life of Riley.

Now, please don’t tell me I’m the only one traveling down yesteryears' memory lane, a pathway chockfull of joyful memories. You don’t remember? That’s quite OK.  I’ll prompt your memory later, as we go along. But for now, I will continue down that old long- forgotten memory lane of life, moving on down those cracked stumbling blocks, prayerfully changing them as I go into faith-laden stepping stones 

Being older than dirt and twice as gritty, I have many memories of childhood. One in particular stands out in my memory bank, the childhood amenity of the front yard lemonade stand. It was the one business in which all us neighborhood kids always took part.

We would have a crudely inscribed advertisement, five cents a cup, tacked up in plain sight. If nothing else, our lemonade stand seemed to always keep us kids out of trouble  and helped us do something besides staring at the seventeen inch black and white television waiting for a favorite cowboy show to start.

The lemonade stand was easy for all to find, for it was right next door. Being the young businessman that I was with my only mode of transportation being my bike, I would walk over there and go to work. Most often, if I was lucky, I’d meet all my young boyhood friends there. How they all always seemed to have the right loose change for a cup, is beyond me. Even my puppy love sweetheart always had the correct change, as she blushingly handed it over.

I was unusually lucky; these next-door neighbors and I were very good friends. Oftentimes, they would hand me a free cup of lemonade. I wouldn’t even complain for only getting half a cup. 'Just a free half a cup, please' must have been my ongoing motto.

Oh, I know, I can just hear you now, I’m now another one of those old coots always living in the past, but not knowing what day it is. But never you mind. If you're lucky you’ll be just like me some day, passing the time away living in the modest life of the  past in your comfortable man-cave, patiently waiting to be called up to breakfast.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, I had promised to prompt your memory of those good ole times of the past. OK, here goes. Remember when:

Grown-ups seemed glamorous? You expected each day to be fun? When people said 'thank you and 'please'? When Moms called you in for supper at dusk? When you played hide-and-seek?  When you climbed trees? When downtown seemed so far away? When you caught lightning bugs and kept them in a jar? When drugstores had soda fountains? When most kids had bikes? When you had a wish for each star? When no one had pedigreed dogs? When you read comic books by the ton? When you bought penny candy? When you drank chocolate milk?

Now do you remember? If so, you’re kind of old.

So next time you are fortunate enough to come up on a children's lemonade stand, please don’t pass it by, it may be your grandkids' only business.

Well,  I guess If these simple things bring a smile to your face whenever they're heard or they are told, it means you were lucky to have such good times. It also means you're kind of old.

Yes, times were good growing up in the good ole Fifties. Life was packed full of happy memories. I trust you gave out a little chuckle when reading this blog. If you are in my age range you probably did.

If not, maybe your Papaw will understand these times. As I mentioned  I readily boast of being older than dirt, and twice as gritty. In fact, I'm old enough to have my Bible autographed.

" Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life."(Proverbs 16:31)

Author’s Postscript

Did you enjoy this bit of the '50’s remembrance?  Did you need an interpreter?  Did you laugh out loud?  Did you wish you were back there? Did this trip back to yesteryear serve up a dish of happiness in today’s chaotic world? I surely hope so. Writing it actually did take me out of today’s troubles, just for a bit.  

Maybe this reflective musing was a little tedious for you. Nevertheless, I could go on and on. I’m full of it, full of my happy Fifties memories, that is. So, I’ll not turn this old 45 record over, waiting for a more opportune moment. Amen!

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