As a kid, I grew up poor. My parents didn’t have a lot of money, but on Sundays after church, we had one ritual that felt like a slice of heaven: going to Thrifty’s Ice Cream.
If you’re not old enough, you may not remember Thrifty. It was a little ice cream parlor tucked inside the Thrifty Drugstore. (And yes, for those who know — it still exists today inside some Rite Aids!) I can’t even recall if the store was officially called “Thrifty’s” back then, but I remember vividly that ice cream counter, those square scoops, and the excitement of waiting all week for that simple joy.
Looking back, I realize that was the beginning of my so-called “addiction.” Ice cream was the one thing my parents could afford for all seven of us kids. But when you have seven mouths to feed, even a few scoops add up quickly. Still, I remember how hard my parents worked to make our poverty feel “normal.” Whatever discomforts we faced, they tried to shield us. And in that little cone of ice cream each Sunday, I found solace. Comfort. A treat that made the challenges of life seem smaller for just a moment.
Perhaps that was also the beginning of my complicated relationship with food — especially sweet food. Ice cream became my emotional comfort, the one thing that could bring a smile, lift my spirit, and carry me through.
Fast forward to today. Many years later, I still haven’t kicked the habit.
This past weekend, my daughter Brianna and son-in-law Virgil asked me to babysit the grandchildren while they went on a little vacation. When I arrived Thursday night, I made a confession to them right away:
“I’m going to eat all the ice cream in your refrigerator. And I’m not even ashamed about it. I’m addicted. And I’ve stopped denying myself this one little pleasure in life.”
Then I warned them — with a completely straight face —
“I’ll be feeding my grandchildren ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because I believe no child should be denied the joy of ice cream.”
They laughed. They gasped. They thought I was joking. But then I made my case. And here it is:
The Nutritional and Emotional Case for Ice Cream
- Strong Bones
Ice cream contains milk, which means Vitamin D and calcium. Children need these nutrients for strong bones. If you want to raise future athletes, superheroes, and playground champions, it starts with a scoop of Rocky Road.
- Boundless Energy
The glucose in ice cream is the rocket fuel of childhood. Forget “energy drinks.” One scoop of mint chocolate chip will have a child sprinting, climbing, and laughing like a wind-up toy.
- Heart Health (Yes, Really!)
Have you ever seen a child take a bite of ice cream and not clutch their chest in delight? Happiness reduces stress, and less stress means better heart health. Ice cream is cardio for the soul.
- Emotional Development
According to studies I may or may not have fabricated, children who eat ice cream smile 87% more than those who don’t. More smiles build more confidence. More confidence builds future leaders. Therefore, ice cream is a leadership development program.
- Social Skills
At the ice cream counter, kids learn the art of negotiation (“Want to trade bites?”), finance (“Can I afford sprinkles?”), and diplomacy (“We’ll both get rainbow so nobody’s left out”). Ice cream is the original MBA program.
- Family Bonding
And let’s not forget this one: when a grandparent takes their grandchildren out for ice cream, it’s not spoiling — it’s investing in family legacy. Years from now, my grandkids won’t say, “Grandpa gave us broccoli.” They’ll say, “Grandpa gave us sprinkles.” That’s how you build love.
So yes, Brianna laughed when I said I would feed her kids ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But here’s the truth: I wasn’t joking. I was dead serious.
A Poetic Scoop
I love ice cream so much I even wrote a book about it: Ice Cream: Poetry of Many Flavors. It’s a collection of poems celebrating every scoop, swirl, and sprinkle. If you think I’m exaggerating my devotion, just read the book and you’ll see.
Get your copy here: Ice Cream: Poetry of Many Flavors on Amazon
Final Word
Now, you may think all of this is humorous — and it is. But beneath the humor is a genuine truth: joy matters. And sometimes joy comes in the form of a simple scoop of ice cream shared with the people you love most.
So to my grandchildren — I say eat your ice cream. All of it.
To my daughter — I say stop gasping and you need to go to the store. We’re out of ice cream.
And to the rest of you — go get yourself a cone today. I promise you will feel better.
Because a scoop a day doesn’t just keep the doctor away. It keeps the sadness away.
Thank you for reading this blog. I appreciate your continued support in raising awareness about the issues that impact our relationships, families, friendships, and the institutions and environments—political, social, and economic—in which we live and work. Please share this blog—and explore my other articles and videos—each one created to educate, empower, and uplift. Together, we can challenge the belief systems that hold us back and press forward into openness, love, consideration, and peace—opening doors of opportunity for all.
Subscribe today to The Power Is Now TV for insightful shows on real estate, business, and wealth-building. Become a member of EricFrazier.com to access exclusive business and personal financial consulting resources.
Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA
Your trusted advisor in business and wealth
www.ericfrazier.com | www.ericfrazieruk.com
NMLS #451807 | CA DRE #01143484
Schedule a consultation: Click here
The Case for Ice Cream: A Grandfather’s Confession
As a kid, I grew up poor. My parents didn’t have a lot of money, but on Sundays after church, we had one ritual that felt like a slice of heaven: going to Thrifty’s Ice Cream.
If you’re not old enough, you may not remember Thrifty. It was a little ice cream parlor tucked inside the Thrifty Drugstore. (And yes, for those who know — it still exists today inside some Rite Aids!) I can’t even recall if the store was officially called “Thrifty’s” back then, but I remember vividly that ice cream counter, those square scoops, and the excitement of waiting all week for that simple joy.
Looking back, I realize that was the beginning of my so-called “addiction.” Ice cream was the one thing my parents could afford for all seven of us kids. But when you have seven mouths to feed, even a few scoops add up quickly. Still, I remember how hard my parents worked to make our poverty feel “normal.” Whatever discomforts we faced, they tried to shield us. And in that little cone of ice cream each Sunday, I found solace. Comfort. A treat that made the challenges of life seem smaller for just a moment.
Perhaps that was also the beginning of my complicated relationship with food — especially sweet food. Ice cream became my emotional comfort, the one thing that could bring a smile, lift my spirit, and carry me through.
Fast forward to today. Many years later, I still haven’t kicked the habit.
This past weekend, my daughter Brianna and son-in-law Virgil asked me to babysit the grandchildren while they went on a little vacation. When I arrived Thursday night, I made a confession to them right away:
“I’m going to eat all the ice cream in your refrigerator. And I’m not even ashamed about it. I’m addicted. And I’ve stopped denying myself this one little pleasure in life.”
Then I warned them — with a completely straight face —
“I’ll be feeding my grandchildren ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because I believe no child should be denied the joy of ice cream.”
They laughed. They gasped. They thought I was joking. But then I made my case. And here it is:
The Nutritional and Emotional Case for Ice Cream
Ice cream contains milk, which means Vitamin D and calcium. Children need these nutrients for strong bones. If you want to raise future athletes, superheroes, and playground champions, it starts with a scoop of Rocky Road.
The glucose in ice cream is the rocket fuel of childhood. Forget “energy drinks.” One scoop of mint chocolate chip will have a child sprinting, climbing, and laughing like a wind-up toy.
Have you ever seen a child take a bite of ice cream and not clutch their chest in delight? Happiness reduces stress, and less stress means better heart health. Ice cream is cardio for the soul.
According to studies I may or may not have fabricated, children who eat ice cream smile 87% more than those who don’t. More smiles build more confidence. More confidence builds future leaders. Therefore, ice cream is a leadership development program.
At the ice cream counter, kids learn the art of negotiation (“Want to trade bites?”), finance (“Can I afford sprinkles?”), and diplomacy (“We’ll both get rainbow so nobody’s left out”). Ice cream is the original MBA program.
And let’s not forget this one: when a grandparent takes their grandchildren out for ice cream, it’s not spoiling — it’s investing in family legacy. Years from now, my grandkids won’t say, “Grandpa gave us broccoli.” They’ll say, “Grandpa gave us sprinkles.” That’s how you build love.
So yes, Brianna laughed when I said I would feed her kids ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But here’s the truth: I wasn’t joking. I was dead serious.
A Poetic Scoop
I love ice cream so much I even wrote a book about it: Ice Cream: Poetry of Many Flavors. It’s a collection of poems celebrating every scoop, swirl, and sprinkle. If you think I’m exaggerating my devotion, just read the book and you’ll see.
Get your copy here: Ice Cream: Poetry of Many Flavors on Amazon
Final Word
Now, you may think all of this is humorous — and it is. But beneath the humor is a genuine truth: joy matters. And sometimes joy comes in the form of a simple scoop of ice cream shared with the people you love most.
So to my grandchildren — I say eat your ice cream. All of it.
To my daughter — I say stop gasping and you need to go to the store. We’re out of ice cream.
And to the rest of you — go get yourself a cone today. I promise you will feel better.
Because a scoop a day doesn’t just keep the doctor away. It keeps the sadness away.
Thank you for reading this blog. I appreciate your continued support in raising awareness about the issues that impact our relationships, families, friendships, and the institutions and environments—political, social, and economic—in which we live and work. Please share this blog—and explore my other articles and videos—each one created to educate, empower, and uplift. Together, we can challenge the belief systems that hold us back and press forward into openness, love, consideration, and peace—opening doors of opportunity for all.
Subscribe today to The Power Is Now TV for insightful shows on real estate, business, and wealth-building. Become a member of EricFrazier.com to access exclusive business and personal financial consulting resources.
Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA
Your trusted advisor in business and wealth
www.ericfrazier.com | www.ericfrazieruk.com
NMLS #451807 | CA DRE #01143484
Schedule a consultation: Click here