August 4 – One Thing One Day One Time – Hot Dogs and Silver Bells Aunt Mary Ellen is a determined and very independent woman. She lives alone in an apartment hotel in a distant city and loves seeing us which isn’t very often unfortunately. I have learned over the years that she loves Hershey’s Kisses or “Silver Bells.” She isn’t expecting them and forgets from one annual visit to the next that we know how she loves her Silver Bells. She has that ability to be surprised with every kind deed that is done for her. On our last trip “up north,” we stopped and bought a big bag of Silver Bells, and enjoyed the look of joy on her face as she greeted us with Silver Bells in hand. As we chatted about family and memories, and in the course of conversation, we asked if there was anything we could do for her, or anything she needed. She said at 101 she doesn’t need anything except her apartment which she has occupied for decades, help with laundry which she has, and a friend to visit once in a while which she has. After a few seconds, she said “I sure do wish I could just get up and go get a hot dog from Coney Island.” Coney Island is close to Aunt Mary Ellen’s age and is the local purveyor of hot dogs extraordinaire. She reminded us that walking was hard – she uses a walker and does very well in her building but the sidewalk is another thing. My Hero immediately remembered something he needed in the car, and excused himself from our “ladies” conversation about the state of fashion today. You have guessed that he needed to go to Coney Island, just down the street, to get a hot dog, two hot dogs with chili, no cheese thank-you-very-much, for a spunky outspoken and loving 101 year old Aunt. She was thrilled of course. And wouldn’t take a bite until we left; that would not be polite.