Frozen Custard, A Favorite Thing

Today my wife and I, with our three grandchildren, did three of our grandchildren’s favorite things to do in Milwaukee, go the Science Store in Milwaukee, have frozen custard and visit the Urban Ecology Center. Now enjoying frozen custard came naturally to the Graf Kids after they were introduced to it on visits to Milwaukee. They now know the difference between frozen custard and ice cream and can tell you their favorite ‘custard stands’ and ‘favorite flavors of the day’.

The other two favorite things took a little more direction by Papa Bob to be favorite things. In my search to do things creative with them I remembered the Science store that I so enjoyed as a child. They were reluctant at first but once we visited it and they got to purchase a few small unique items they were sold. My oldest grandson, now 11, goes straight for the small plastic soldiers and always purchases them with the few dollars I give him. He keeps them here, not because his parents do not like the fact they are tiny soldiers but they just do not think a talented and creative 11 year old should be spending time in the imaginary world of toy soldiers. (See the story War of Toys by Carson on Graf Kids web page.) Believe me small toy plastic soldiers represent much less violence than the video games and TV he can find at home or even here.

My other grandson, 8, always has a hard time deciding on what he wants because he cannot choose from so many things. The limits of the money I give him make him feel like he has to spend every penny. Today we got him over that hurdle and he quickly found a few items he would enjoy within the limits.

My granddaughter four has no problem finding lots of stuff for her few dollars. What she buys is so cheap that we can get it all and be under the limits.

The most challenging place to take the children and now one of their favorite places was the Urban Ecology Center. What of interest can a Nature and Environmental center offer children? My oldest grandson was convinced that it would be boring before he went there the first time. Now he asks to go. The boys found some old fashioned, non-electronic games they like to play and my youngest found a slide through a pretend waterfalls she enjoys. They like the animals, climbing the tower, puzzles and games and learning some interesting things. Today my middle grandchild found out he could play the musical instruments hanging on the walls.

Being a big child and working with youth has given me some advantages in this area of what are kids ‘favorite things.’ Working with youth I used to cringe when at a planning meeting adults would say to youth what do you think or what to you want to do. They would put the youth on the spot. The youth and I knew the adults were not sincere and really were not listening to young persons. Once on a middle school youth retreat I presented children with a safe environment to say what they really liked or did not like about the Church. When I wrote up what they said, the same parents who were constantly asking what the “youth thought or wanted to see” were furious at me. They read what the children really thought and found many things “they did not want to hear.”

Children and youth are looking for leadership and a model in adults. When Marquette says it values peace and yet teaches war, the young adults in the university know the difference. Sadly, most children and youth (although sometimes they vehemently deny it) end up doing what their parents or authorities do, not what they say.

So my observation for today is not to give up anything in Lent, but just to do your favorite things that you naturally enjoy, like Frozen Custard, or ones that you are challenged to enjoy, like the Science Store or Urban Ecology Center. As long as your favorite things are healthy for body, mind, and spirit all we be well. I say I enjoy silence but am challenged to practice it. Lent is the time to do your favorite things.

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