We All Scream for Ice Cream

Walking Blue recently, I heard an old, familiar sound. Wait. . . could that be? Yes! An ice cream truck!

It passed some blocks away, too far to catch, but the whimsical tune filled me with giddy nostalgia. I hadn’t heard that happy sound in years!

Twenty minutes into our jaunt, I heard it again, closer this time. Around the next corner, there it was — hovering at the curb with several adults waiting in line.

Hustling to catch it, I thought: “Dang! I’d have brought money had I known we’d see “the ice cream man” – eeee!!

Still, I joined the que. At the window, I asked the peddler when he’d be back, did he have a regular route, and if so, was it posted online so neighbors could catch him. No, he said, he just comes through occasionally. While a little disappointed, it did add to the sense of childlike anticipation.

I asked if he sold pup treats (like many, our neighborhood is loaded with people walking their dogs). He didn’t have any that day but said he would be sure to stock up. I smiled, assuring him that if he did, and made a way for folks to know where he’d be when, those treats could pay his mortgage lol.

Heading home, greeting neighborhood friends along the way. I couldn’t resist asking, smiling like a kid, “Did you know we have an ice cream man!?”

Turns out they’ve never completely gone away. These days they’re mostly seen in the suburbs, at parks and kids’ sporting events.

That may be, but this kid had no idea they still existed. And, what a treat to know they do.

Kristan Dael

50plus Magazine