In trying to think back to my childhood,
in an effort to find some moment in time,
even just one time,
when I was happy,
I found one.
Just one,
but that was what I was looking for.
Just one time.
One moment.
A bit of true happiness.
I remember at least one time.
I almost remember the same experience
more than once -
maybe two or three times more,
but I can't be sure now.
I do remember,very strongly,
at least that one time,
and that will do for my purpose.
We had gone "out to eat,"
my parents and I,
which was sort of special -
as it hardly ever happened.
At the place where we ate,
there was a store, as well;
counters, things for sale,
besides the hamburger steak
and the chocolate milk,
and there was a magazine rack -
a very big one -
and, there were comic books!
There was a sign on the rack:
"Comics" 10 cents ea. or 11 for $1.00
If you spent a dollar, for ten,
you could have another comic book -
FREE.
I thought that was the most wonderful thing.
My parents were feeling extravagant,
and they gave me a dollar.
I couldn't believe it!
This was not something that they had ever done before.
I waited, thinking that the dollar would be taken back,
that this exciting thing would be taken away,
by my parents saying something like,
-Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't meant to give you that much,-
and replacing the dollar with a couple dimes.
But- instead they said that I could have the whole dollar,
and I could buy comic books with it.
I COULD BUY COMIC BOOKS WITH IT....
I was hardly able to contain myself,
as I took the dollar off the table
and went over to the comic books in the rack,
feeling very excited and happy and even a bit confused.
But I had the dollar, they said I could have it,
and they said I could buy comic books with it.
And the sign said I could have a free comic book,
if I bought ten comic books.
I was as happy as a kid could be,
at that moment.
I probably spent a lot of time choosing them,
but my parents didn't rush me,
and I looked for, and found, my favorites,
and with 11 comic books in hand,
I took my dollar to the man behind the counter,
and he put them in a thin bag for me,
and I held them carefully,
as I went back to the table where my parents were.
I remember that I was so very happy.

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