Forever young

Lucky Charms are, in fact, “magically delicious.” There is something about the combination of marshmallows and frosted oats adding color and excitement to my cereal bowl. The aesthetically pleasing red box sits happily in my cupboard and manages to appear far more confident in its ability to satisfy my cravings than any of my healthy, no-sugar-added options.

I typically practice healthy eating. The Lucky Charms box houses the only sugary food in my kitchen. But there’s just something about the taste of those marshmallows; they convince me they’re worth the calories.

On a recent weeknight, after a long day of writing papers and studying for exams, I poured myself a bowl of the good stuff — the “magically delicious” stuff. My neighbor was sitting in my kitchen, and I noticed his mouth drop as he watched me scavenging for the red balloons. “What are you doing?” he asked with disdain.

“The red balloons are my favorite marshmallows,” I answered.

He responded by reminding me of my age: “You do know that you’re a college student, right?”

He then explained that Lucky Charms are for toddlers who don’t have the maturity to appreciate Fiber One and Kashi (seven grains on a mission ... to send you to the bathroom).

I thanked him for his concern but explained that, while I can appreciate the benefits of those fiberlicious cereals, sometimes eating a bowl of Lucky Charms just makes me feel good. It takes me back to the days when I was little and had three bowls for breakfast because the colorful marshmallows were fun to look at while I munched.

The truth is, Lucky Charms keep me young.

College has a way of allowing us to be immature on weekends while leaving us with little opportunity to engage our youthful side during the week. For me, eating Lucky Charms after I finish my homework is the perfect remedy to a painfully grown-up day.

For those who are graduating next month, try to stay in touch with the kid inside of you. You’re about to step in to a world where you are expected to check your immaturity at the door. A world that seems light years away from the world you lived in when you were eating food that came out of a box with a leprechaun on it.

You’re probably hoping to be professionals soon. Many of you might be practicing your “professional” demeanor in the mirror every night in preparation for the nine-to-five lifestyle. While it’s definitely wise to work on professionalism, there is always room for fun and games.

You might not have as much time to visit bars or day drink at Scotty’s in the real world. But there will always be time for Lucky Charms. It’s the little things that remind you that life is meant to be enjoyed — for everybody, not just undergrads and toddlers.
 

E-mail: jzaslow@indiana.edu