Sales make February sweet

It’s the sweetest time of the year. I’m not talking about Valentine’s Day or even my birthday. It’s the time of year when girls in uniforms tempt cookie lovers like me with once-a-year treats.
I bought my first box of Girl Scout cookies of the season this past Saturday. I saw the little girl as soon as I entered the grocery store. I hoped she would come over and ask if I wanted any cookies, but she stood silently behind her display. A woman I assumed was her mother greeted me. Finally, the young lady herself spoke. That was my cue. I bought a box of my favorites. The child took my money, made change and thanked me.
Girl Scout cookies are special because they are available for such a short time each year. Yes, I know I can buy similar treats any time I choose. There are several companies that make a variety of cookies and crackers and some of their offerings taste almost identical to the ones I prefer. But taste isn’t the only consideration in my choice.
Adults spend a great deal of time cautioning children not to talk to strangers. We drill it into their brains that people are dangerous. Then we put uniforms on them and expect them to go up to people they have never seen before with the purpose of selling something. It is quite a challenge.
Add in the innate shyness some of them have and the fact that they manage to say anything at all becomes nothing short of a miracle.
Therefore, if a girl is brave enough to ask if I want some cookies, my answer is always yes. The price has doubled since I first began buying the sweet treats.
There was a time when I would eat half a box in one sitting rather than a couple at a time like I do now. My husband used to bring several boxes home from work to go with the boxes I bought from a friend’s daughter. They never lasted for very long.
Now, I buy one or maybe two packages a year. Each box takes a week or more to finish. My husband and I are both retired and no longer have co-workers pushing treats. My friend’s daughter is all grown up and attends college in Georgia. The little and not so little girls selling cookies in the grocery store are my only source for Thin Mints.
I know people who buy multiple boxes of cookies to stash in the freezer so they will have them all year. Not me. I don’t like the taste or texture of cookies that have been frozen. Besides, that negates the seasonality of them. Part of their appeal is their limited availability.
Another part of the appeal is that Girl Scout cookie time comes right before leftover Valentine candy time. As soon as the last of the Valentine candy disappears, the hollow chocolate rabbits come out. It’s a wonder any of us are skinny with so many treats available.
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” I seriously doubt if the writers of Ecclesiastes had Girl Scout cookies in mind. Then, again, I doubt if they were ever confronted with adorable little girls pushing cookies.
There is a progression to everything. Nothing ever stays the same. Today it is Girl Scout cookies, tomorrow, Valentine’s chocolate. One thing leads to another. No matter what today brings, tomorrow will be different. But for now, I have Thin Mints on my countertop just waiting to be dunked into a cold glass of milk.