---AN ICE CREAM SOLO~~
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--By: Barbara Baumgardner
---
I FLUNKED my first night out alone--my first solo movie since I'd become a widow. It wasn't too hard buying the ticket and the popcorn. Even sitting alone in the big theater was all right. I became so engrossed in the movie that it surprised me when the lights came on and I discovered I was all by myself.

On my way to the car, the tears welled up. I didn't have anyone to have an after-the-show ice cream cone with. Suddenly that seemed very, very important.

I stepped through my garage door into the kitchen and burst into tears. Loudly, I wailed to God. "When is it going to end? How much longer, God until I can learn to enjoy doing things without having a companion?" The waves of loneliness again washed over me and for a few minutes, I gave in to an incoming tide of sorrow.

When I stopped crying, I felt better but I still wanted some ice cream. Feeling a little foolish, I offered an invitation, "Lord, will you have some ice cream with me?"

Feeling even more foolish, I piled two cereal bowls high with rocky road ice cream from my freezer, and through the giggles asked myself, "I'm really doing this, aren't I?"

Outside on my deck, under a million blinking stars, I leisurely consumed the entire contents of both bowls, savoring each bit in the companionship of the Lord. And I was reminded of His promise, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." ~~~~