Another flash-back from my years in New York - When I was stationed at St. Anthony’s in Rocky Point, NY
between 1991 and 1996, there were many young families in the parish. I was
involved in the life of the children and the youth of the parish, besides
working with the Pre-Cana team and organizing children’s liturgies, Youth Group
activities, etc. Kevin and
Colleen Sweeney were very active
parishioners, and always so
kind and gentle, smiling and welcoming, with two young boys, so quiet and
obedient. Once they invited me to their house, and Colleen made sure to inquire
of me what I like to eat. I made it a point always to tell people that I just
don’t like melted cheese on anything, cooked carrots, and macaroni and cheese. Anything
else is good for me.
Well, they somehow misunderstood my
dislikes and thought that I said I really like cooked carrots. So when I
arrived and sat down to eat, the first plate was carrot soup. Since I didn’t
want to disappoint them, I slowly slurped the whole thing, which was not bad
after all, especially with some croutons which made the taste of carrots less
invasive. But what happened next will always be etched in my memory as well as
theirs, and this became the most well-advertised hilarious scene of the decade. So, waiting for the
main meal, hoping it would be some kind of meat, veggies and potatoes and a
salad on the side, I was presented instead with a plate-full of carrots. 5
varieties of carrots! The large carrots, nicely peeled and steamed, medium
sized carrots, on the yellowish side, and those little gourmet carrots which
were possibly ordered from some specialty store. As I looked at them in fear
and trepidation, Kevin smiled at me, waiting for a ‘hooray’ way of approval,
while Colleen sat smiling on my side. At that she slowly pushed the whole plate
towards me and uttered her famous words ‘aren’t you going to try the carrots?’
Needless to say, I started to smile and show a sour face, in trying to explain
my predicament that they might have misunderstood my humble request in not
having any carrots, as I don’t like them especially when they are cooked. At
that both of them started to laugh and laugh and laugh, along with me and the
two boys along with us.
Of course the rest of the meal was fine
and we enjoyed each other’s company, but the story of the carrots spread like
wild fire around town. And every time we meet, Kevin was ready with the
gracious invitation....’stop
by today, we’re having carrot cake......we’re munching on carrot pie
today.....come and sample our carrot goulash......come over tonight we’re
having carrot salad!’ I
felt bad for them going out of their way to get all those kinds of carrots and
having to see them remain untouched, undisturbed and uneaten by whom they
thought was a carrot aficionado. The joke spread around that whoever was
inviting me for dinner would have some carrots to tease me. But all in all,
people were very gracious and great hosts who love a good laugh over a nice
dinner,..... and plenty of carrots!
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