I just saw Oprah's new show, "The Big Give," featuring inspirational stories of generosity. The show had a special meaning for me, because I recently wrote a large check for my own favorite cause: The Girl Scout Cookie Drive.
My friend, Cheryl, is a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter's Brownie troop. Last month she stopped by with Christine, who's nine, to take my "pre-order" for Girl Scout Cookies.
"Would you like Shortbread, Thin Mints, Thanks a Lots, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Caramel deLites Cinna-Spins, Lemonades or Peanut Butter Patties?" Christine asked, looking adorable in her Brownie vest.
"Yes!" I answered.
I couldn't help it. I've never been able to resist a Brownie, even if it's not made of chocolate. Besides, I feel such a sense of satisfaction when I'm giving - especially when I'm giving into my craving for a Girl Scout Cookie.
On Saturday Cheryl called to tell me the cookies had arrived, and she was on her way over to deliver them. When I heard my husband, Steve, call out, "Cheryl's here!" I raced to the door. I was feeling anxious - I'd gone a little overboard with my cookie order, and didn't want him to find out.
I stood next to Steve, looking outside. "I don't see Cheryl's van," I said.
"She's driving a forklift," he answered.
Oops.
Cheryl made several trips inside, panting as she stacked the last of my cookies near the door.
"Do you really need all these cookies?" Steve asked.
"Hey, get off my case."
"I'm just asking."
"No, I mean you're leaning on my case of Caramel deLites - and I want some."
I dug in; like last year (and the year before), they were dangerously yummy. I knew I'd be tempted to eat too many, and vowed to limit myself to one a day.
The first day I was successful. I chose Peanut Butter Patties, and ate just one box.
The second day, I picked Thanks a Lots. After I ate the box, I kept my promise, and stopped. Then it hit me: How can I be so selfish? This is about helping the Girl Scouts!
That begged the hard question: Am I the type of person who helps a little, OR A LOT?
I cracked open a box of Thin Mints.
After I ate the Thin Mints I selected Lemonades, and kept on eating. You might wonder - did all those cookies give me a stomach ache? Yes. But I reminded myself that giving isn't always easy. When you make a difference, there can be a cost. In my case, it's a big one; I'm sacrificing my stomach. That practically makes me an organ donor!
A few days later I ran out of cookies. I wanted to help even more, so I called Cheryl to order a few extra boxes. She was excited to hear from me. "Our troop is selling a ton of cookies! And it looks like you will be our biggest customer!"
Their biggest customer? That didn't sound good. Come to think of it, my jeans ARE feeling pretty tight, I realized. Looking in the mirror confirmed the fact that I'd packed on a few unwanted pounds. I was becoming a big customer.
I ordered more cookies anyway. I can't stop giving just because there's a personal downside. Besides, I might inspire others to give, like Oprah. If I keep going, maybe I'll even get my own show.
If that happens, I have a name: "The Big Giver."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Got Got Cookies?
Email me at kay@kaymiller.net to buy them from my favorite Girl Scout, pictured above!
