Eggs and Milk

Eric buys organic groceries.  He says they are healthier.  I think he buys them because they are trendy.    

I buy inexpensive groceries.  It is okay to say—I admit it:  I am cheap, thrifty, a Caucasian lover of coupons. 

Our division arises when we go grocery shopping.  Although we both like to eat, we have different ideas on what we should eat. 

Take our adventure in the egg isle.

“I always buy the free range eggs,” Eric said, eyes driven on his desired prize of twelve.

“Why,” I asked, “because they are in the fancy brown container?”

“No, because they are healthier,” Eric answered both quickly and proudly.  “The chickens are free from cages.  They don’t eat each other this way.”

“But these eggs are more than twice as much as the normal ones!” I spit back–putting my foot down and raising my voice.  “This is not economical!  We are living off a fixed budget; you have to remember we are missionaries now, not middle class collegiate environmentalists.” 

And on our conversation went.  It continued onto the milk and bread isles.  Even maple syrup brought up a catastrophic debate.

….

Last weekend Eric and I volunteered at the 9/11 Unity Walk.  Together, we walked in unison with nearly one thousand individuals from more than ten different faith traditions. 

It was an eye-opening, faith-changing experience.  Our beliefs took action.  We stood for harmony; we walked for peace.  Although we all saw the world differently, we were able to work togethr.

…

Before we left the grocery store, Eric and I had to learn to compromise.  Although we disagreed on what to buy we both agreed that eating was a necessity.

In the end we realized the eggs weren’t that important.  We bought Eric’s bread and my milk.  It could be argued that neither side won, but that evening we both walked away with food in hand.