I don’t know about your community, but here where I live, we have a wonderful semi-annual food drive event that brings the entire town together and inspires wonder, charity, and goodwill to us all.

As I sit here and sip my coffee to clear my mind, I hope that others are doing the same, and preparing for this fun day.

When the grocery store opens at 9, I’ll be whistling my way down the winding road, ready to participate. I can hardly wait.

Last year, when I arrived at the food drive, the milk aisle was so happy to see me, almost every gallon (and half-gallon!) almost tumbled over with youthful abandon, knowing they would be the first to get to go for a ride in my car. (The previous year, the produce department had that priveledge.) That was also the year I volunteered to drive the day-old muffins and pastries about town. A tear comes to my eye as I recall the bittersweet tears that formed upon the crusty layers of each treat as they gazed out the windows of the back seat. They knew it might be their last drive.

Today I hope to be assigned to drive the canned goods, as they are almost always good sports and never leave any residue on my seats. They do have one slightly annoying habit, however, and that is the incessant giggles that can be heard, ever so faintly, as we drive around the neighborhood. Canned laughter is not my cup of tea. But I must not be selfish, and when I volunteer to drive groceries around for a cheerful outing before it is purchased, I do it with joy. ‘Tis better to give than receive, always.

When one volunteers to drive food, everyone wins. If you have never participated in this heartwarming community effort, today I implore you, please do it. You will never forget the look of sincere appreciation in the eye of that one potato, who will, by this time tomorrow, be mashed into oblivion, and never seen again. It is a bit heartbreaking when the outing is over, and the food must be returned to the store, but you will feel like a million bucks afterwards.

Have a happy day, and thank you for being you.

What’s for dinner?