Mints

This past weekend I attended a funeral of one of my fathers friend.  It was the first time I had been to a funeral since Mary passed away.  Before we arrived my brother and I stopped at a coffee shop where it hit me that I needed mints to keep in my pocket.  I don’t know why buying mints overwhelmed me, but it did.  I bought the mints and tucked them in my pocket.

When we were driving to the church I laughed to myself…I know why I bought them.  I bought them because Mary always had some mints or candy in her purse or pocket.  It reminded me that no matter where we were, she always had something for anyone to suck on.  She always felt it was important because you’ll never know when you will need it.

She felt that at any given moment your breath could be bad and if you are going to hug someone, talk to someone close up, you had better have good smelling breath.  Later in her life it was because her mouth dried out from medications she was on.  But also she was a smoker so she had to make sure her breath wasn’t bad.  But none the less I can remember feeling like I should try to carry mints where ever I go because I have suddenly found myself in situations that I need a little mint.  Being a coffee drinker has its down sides, and also I think others wish they carried mints too, not just to eat but to offer.

So while we were in the service, I thought of Mary…I pulled out the mints and offered just like she would have done.  My father, my brother and Aunt all accepted with out hesitation.  It was the first time I felt a little ping of joy, I was honoring something that she did religiously. She just knew that people needed mints!  I  looked up the towering church and thanked her for teaching me about Mints.  who knew how important this little life lesson would be…