Sometimes, you just need somethin’ sweet.
Hadn’t had no ice cream in a long while. Been runnin’, workin’, thinkin’—you know how life do. But today? I figured I deserved a little joy. A scoop of comfort. So I said, hell with it, I’m goin’ down to the dollar store, grab me a treat, and chill at the park. Just me, some ice cream, and a little stillness.
So I headed down to Flamingo Park—Ttiana, Alabama. My stompin’ ground. Sat there for a spell, lettin’ the breeze talk to me, watchin’ the world go by. Then that sweet tooth kicked in for real.
I get to the store, all set to grab me one of them good ol’ ice cream sandwiches. Maybe two. One classic, one with the cookie wrap. Nothin’ fancy. Just a bite of ice cream joy.
But lawd, when I looked at them friggin prices...
Three damn dollars for one bar. Two-fifty for the cookie kind. That’s six bucks just to taste a little childhood. I stood there stunned, ice cream in my hand, heart a little heavy. Not for me, really—but for the kids. For the mamas and daddies just tryin’ to give their babies a summertime smile breakin’ the bank.
I mean, how we get here?
How we lettin’ somethin as simple and sacred as ice cream turn into a luxury item? You know that sandwich costs ‘em maybe thirty cents to make. Rest is markup and greed.
It’s damn near embarrassing, if you ask me.
But I won’t holler too loud today. Not now. I’m just gon’ sit right here, in the quiet, and melt into this moment. Let this overpriced ass ice cream bar remind me what matters. Small joys. Big truths. And the folks we carry in our thoughts when life gets strange.
Hope y’all out there find a little peace today, too. Get some icecream.
Now let me ask you this:
When was the last time something small hit you hard—