It has taken many decades, but at last I’ve found it: the justification for that ever-present dish of Hershey’s Kisses next to my favorite chair. And the chocolate chip cookies in the cupboard, the chocolate pudding cups in the refrigerator, and the box of Godivas hidden in the closet.

At my advanced age, I don’t believe I need to justify myself to anyone any longer. But — and of course I blame my mother for this — there’s still that little guilt pang when I step on the bathroom scale and see that those extra ten pounds haven’t shifted . . . except perhaps from the left hip to the right.

So I was delighted when I happened upon a quote by American author Amy Neftzger, whose books I confess I have never read but will now probably be ordering because I like her attitude, her devotion to the Oxford comma, and this astute observation:

“I’m pretty sure that eating chocolate keeps wrinkles away
because I have never seen a 10 year old with a Hershey bar and crows feet.”

Thank you, Amy. I am finally free of my mother’s obsession with a youthful appearance and her belief in the rewards of sacrifice.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/11/25