Sunday, August 3, 2008

Great Like Chocolate Cake - Gratitude for Friends by Angie Ledbetter

Remember that old Bill Cosby song he made up while watching the kids one morning while Mom slept in? He didn't know what to make for breakfast, so let them persuade him to serve the chocolate cake sitting on the kitchen counter. All were happy, Dad convincing himself it was a healthy meal choice because it contained eggs, flour, milk, etc. As he and the kids sang the tune -- "Dad is great! He gives us chocolate cake!" -- in walks Mom who has one bad conniption fit.

I don't know what made me think of that this morning. Haven't had chocolate cake in a really long time. But the scene of the father singing in the kitchen with his five children until mean old Mom walks in always makes me smile. Life's like that a lot. You're enjoying yourself, thinking you've done something to be proud of, then BLAM, somehow things are spoiled. Your good intentions or hard work have gone awry.

Things sometimes just don't go the way you envision. That's just life. But today I want to toast those people who "eat chocolate cake" with me: my sister-in-law who arrived on my doorstep yesterday with bags of yummy groceries she "just picked up while shopping." A feast of goodies I'd have never purchased from a high end store, like baby artichokes. Who knew those existed? Then there are those who share the crazy ups and downs of the writing life with me, liberally sprinkling encouragement into the cake batter of my words. And the friends who shore you up when you're feeling down or overwhelmed. Also those folks who are true friends of the heart. There are too many to mention in this brief venue, but you know who you are, and I'm grateful to have you in my life.

Here's a little ditty for y'all: "My friends are great! Better than chocolate cake!" Now, if you want to watch that fab 80s Cosby skit, here's a link: http://http://www.videosift.com/video/Bill-Cosby-Chocolate-Cakefor-Breakfast

6 comments:

Kathryn Magendie said...

Yes, I know who we are *grinning*

Barbara Quinn said...

Gee..this gives new meaning to "Let them eat cake." ;-)
That batter of yours is most
accommodating and it's a pleasure to be swirling aroud in it.

Anonymous said...

Chocolate cake for breakfast. Sounds like a plan.
Oren

Mary Ann Ledbetter said...

Angie,
As Mary Stewart wrote, "You got your pronouns wrong." It's we sisters and friends and writing colleagues of yours who get Chocolate Cake Breakfasts every day we get to be with you or hear from you on email or the phone. (When I remember to answer mine--hehe).
And nobody fusses at us!
Thanks for breakfast and lunch today--two helpings of the best beignets and cafe au lait around at Coffee Call. Two helpings!
Thanks for picking my carcass up, again, for church and bringing me home.
Thanks for all the helpings from Angie!

Loves,
MA

Angie Ledbetter said...

Funny, each of you who commented here are the huge chocolate fudge chunks in my life's cake batter!

patresa hartman said...

i'm grateful for bill cosby! we have that on a big, vinyl record that i listened to over and over as a kid. makes me smile. :)

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