Expiration Date

I want some chicken noodle soup. I find two cans in the pantry and check the expiration dates so I’ll be sure to open the can that will expire the earliest. First can—August 2026. Second can—February 2019. I stare at the second date in disbelief. I look at the date again, as if I can wish it to change. The date doesn’t change. February 2019. I take the expired can and set it aside for ecofriendly disposal. I open the first can and heat up my lunch. M’m! M’m! Good! Later, I tell my wife about it. “Uhg! Now I’ll have to check the dates on everything” she says as she heads toward the kitchen. “You don’t have to do it now” I offer. “No, I’ve already started.” I smile and nod, happy that she’s so diligent. Less than an hour later she reports that she threw away several items including the salt. “Why did you throw away the salt?” “Because it expired in 2022.” “Did you taste it?” ”No, why would I taste it? It expired,” she says matter-of-factly. I chuckle under my breath. Hours later I ponder over my personal expiration date. I recently read that the average male in the U.S. lives to 74.8 and the average female lives to 80.2. Since I just turned 70, that’s quite a scary thought. Of course, I also read that a “70-year-old man has a 54% chance to live to 90 if he doesn’t smoke or have diabetes, has healthy weight and blood pressure, and exercises. But cutting out exercises and becoming more sedentary reduces the chances of reaching 90 to 44%.” Meditating on what this might mean for us, I smile and offer a prayer of thanksgiving. mindful of each day thankful to the Creator … soulful chicken soup