All I want for Christmas is to be left alone! (standard:Inspirational stories, 948 words)
Author: Godspenman	Added: Dec 13 2009	Views/Reads: 3201/1944	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
We had just finished our morning coffee for the morning and the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, "Let's go Christmas shopping." This little piece of news ruined my meticulously worked out plans of doing nothing for th

We had just finished our morning coffee for the morning and the Gracious
Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, "Let's go Christmas 
shopping." 

This little piece of news ruined my meticulously worked out plans of
doing nothing for the day. I was suspicious of her plans to go shopping 
for the day, but I did not know it included Yours Truly. Therefore, 
when I discovered I was part of her plans for the day my heart sank... 
just a little. 

Shopping, whether Christmas or any other time of year, is not my cup of
tea, although I always get in plenty of hot water. It would be 
different if I could go to the mall, get what I want and escape with as 
little collateral damage as possible. This is never the case. Shopping 
malls have been so designed to inflict as much collateral damage on 
husbands as possible. I think the reason they do it is so that when we 
get home we appreciate being at home. 

I have long ago discovered that when the wife suggests going shopping
for the day it is not a suggestion. Therefore, when she put forth her 
proposal, I humbly, even if halfheartedly, agreed. 

When in a more philosophical mood, I sometimes wonder if the reason I am
invited to accompany my wife on her shopping adventures is simply to be 
the chauffeur and the carrier of packages. 

I dropped my wife off at the front doors of them all and proceeded to
find a parking space. Evidently, news had leaked out that I was coming 
to the mall because there were no parking spaces available. After 
driving around for a half hour, I found a parking space 5 miles from 
the shopping mall. I was just happy to park the car. And, after all, I 
do need the exercise. 

I finally got into the shopping mall and began my search for my wife. No
sooner had I got into the mall then I was accosted by someone who 
grabbed my hand and began giving me a manicure. The manicurist was a 
man who had a firm grip on my wrist as he applied his manicurist 
techniques. Having one hand free I was tempted... oh, was I ever 
tempted. 

Then I got a brilliant idea. Not all my ideas are brilliant, but
occasionally one shines through for my rescue. 

Looking over his shoulder, I exclaimed in a very excited voice, "Oh, my
goodness. There's Elvis." 

I made good my retreat and resumed the search for my wife. The shopping
mall is a very large place, especially for someone who is not 
interested in 99.9% of the things in the mall. Then I found a little 
shop that sold coffee. 

I took my coffee, found a bench and sat there enjoying a little
reprieve. While drinking my coffee I watched the people come and go. 
After drinking the last drop of coffee, I resumed my search. 

Just as I was coming to what I thought was the end of the mall and
hopefully catching up with my wife, some young woman with a clipboard 
approached me. Had I known what she was up to I would have pivoted and 
ran in the opposite direction. Being the naïve, country bumpkin that I 
am, I looked at her and smiled. 

Never smile at a stranger, especially one with a clipboard. 

With a cheerful voice she said, "Can I ask you a few questions?" 

At that moment, I knew what I was in for them so I said as politely as
possible, "No, I'm really in a hurry." 

"Oh," she said still smiling, "this won't take very long at all." 

"No," I said still smiling. 

“But, sir," she said rather pleadingly, "it's very important that I fill
out my survey" 



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