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Froot Loop Intervention, by Peggy Gerber

24/2/2021

 
FOOD
Rachel frowned when she saw how long the line was at the the vaccination center, but it moved swiftly and before she knew it she was being shuffled into the waiting room for her fifteen minutes of observation. As she sat down and pulled out her phone, she noticed the woman sitting next to her was shaking and turning green. Rachel tapped her and said, “Hey, are you okay? Do you need help?

Sara answered, “No, I think I am okay, I am pretty sure I am just having one of my panic attacks. This vaccine is just so new and scary, and I keep hearing about people having bad allergic reactions. I’m just feeling anxious right now. My breathing exercises usually help but they’re just not working today.”

Rachel said, “I get it. Would you like to hear how I calm myself down when I am feeling agitated?”

“Yes, please.”

“Well, when I’m home, I make myself a nice soothing cup of green tea and relax on the couch. But when I can’t do that, I pop a few Froot Loops in my mouth. I always carry a small box in my purse. I tell people it is for my grandchildren, but it’s really for myself.”

Sara furrowed her brows, “Froot Loops. Why Froot Loops?”

Rachel chucked, “Well, here’s a fun fact. Studies at the University Bordeaux in France have discovered that when you feed rats Froot Loops it increases the amount of dopamine in their brains as much as if you gave them cocaine. Since dopamine is a feel good chemical, those rats felt pretty darn happy after gobbling down that cereal.” Rachel reached in her purse and pulled out a mini box of Froot Loops and gave it to Sara.

Sara poured a bunch of the little fruity nuggets into her hand and raised her mask to pop them in her mouth. She chewed them carefully and popped in a bunch more. “Yum” she said. “I haven’t had these in years.” When she was done she tried to hand the unused portion back to Rachel.

“No backsies in a pandemic. Please keep them and enjoy.”

Sara looked down at her watch and her eyes opened wide: her fifteen minutes were up. She smiled at Rachel and said, “I don’t know if it was the Froot Loops or your kindness, but I am feeling so much better now. Thank you.”

The two women walked out together and went their separate ways. As Sara climbed into her car, she popped a few more Fruit Loops in her mouth and grinned. This wasn’t so bad after all.
​
Mary Wallace
24/2/2021 04:22:08 pm

A very sweet story Peggy. Nicely done.

Jessalyn
24/2/2021 08:14:41 pm

Now I want some fruit loops! It’s so refreshing to read a story that has a happy ending in this pandemic!

Jim link
24/2/2021 11:33:10 pm

A sugary sweet story, Peggy. If one can, Toucan, right?

Smile
Jim

Marie Johnson-Ladson
25/2/2021 12:35:54 am

Great story, Rachel did her good deed for the day by helping Sara calm down!

Nicole
25/2/2021 01:23:41 am

So sweet. Fruit loops are delicious! Maybe they should stock them at the vaccination centers!

Pamela Kennedy
25/2/2021 01:26:51 am

Sweet and enjoyable...well done, Peggy.

Sue Clayton
25/2/2021 01:40:17 am

Can't anything sweeter than the above comments, Peggy. Nice story.

Eunice Pruitt
25/2/2021 08:11:17 am

Nice to see strangers connecting and being kind even in a pandemic. Well written story/

Peggy Gerber
25/2/2021 02:43:26 pm

Thank you everyone for those sweet, sweet comments. You made my day so much sweeter.

Candace Arthuria Williams
25/2/2021 02:44:36 pm

Surprised the rat story didn't push her right over the edge. Those Froot Loops must really work. Sweet solace, Peggy.

(Toucan was clever, Jim.)

yehudis
25/2/2021 03:29:50 pm

I love the line "no backsies in a pandemic" I can't refute the research, but I believe that a caring, friendly person who understands your circumstances has to count for a lot.

Jennifer Duncan
25/2/2021 03:44:35 pm

The comfort of junk food. Once I was in the hospital and all I wanted was Jello - craved the artificial flavour. I love your story - really heart warming.

Padmini Krishnan
26/2/2021 04:31:32 am

We all need these fruit loops and people like Rachel in our lives. Nice and sweet

Sandra James
27/2/2021 09:48:18 pm

Every week when shopping in the cereal aisle I'm tempted by the Froot Loops even though I know they are loaded with sugar, unhealthy and probably won't taste as they did back in my childhood. Next shopping trip I'm going to buy a packet and share them with my grandson - medicinal purposes :) Great story, Peggy.

DiAna Smith-Brown
2/3/2021 08:38:32 pm

I looked beyond the vaccine and found compassion. Oh, how I long for the day when we have moved above the need for outside unfortunate events to bring compassion into our daily lives.


Comments are closed.

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