Never Take Candy from a Stranger or Maybe You Should...

'Never take candy from strangers'

Most of us have been taught that rule at some point.
And while I agree 99%, because I don't want my own children jumping for joy when a man in a creepy van rides up beside them offering them mouth watering candy--I realized yesterday--sometimes it's ok to take candy from the unknown.

I say that because I work with the public.  I'm a librarian by day--and two nights a week.  I come into contact with a lot of people.  Some good...some not so good--but that's a whole 'nother blog--but back to candy. 

There's a man who I see every few weeks at work.
I noticed him years ago because that's what I do--but also because he's a nice looking older man.  He generally buys a few used books, reads the paper and off he goes.

In the past year he offered me a butterscotch hard cardy--yes that may be an indicator of his age--and I happily accepted this somewhat random act of kindess.  (I don't know how much I like that saying, but there is complete truth to the phrase)
And since the butterscotch, I've gotten mints, strawberry hard candys and fruity type mint lifesavers.  And it makes me happy.

Yesterday he was in, bought his few booksale items-read the paper and before he left gave me lifesavers and strawberry hard candy. 

I'll be honest--I do have this moment right before I pop the first one in my mouth that there could be this irrational possibility I'm being drugged or poisoned--but then I realize it's the voice of never taking candy from strangers. 

But this stranger has become a friendly face, offering trust, a sweet smile and a simple moment of joy in crazy moments.