S1 E3: Series Finale
My loving readers, I regret to inform you that this is my last article. It has been a great experience, but I really just want to go back to watching Netflix on my couch. A fun, adventurous life is just not for me. So if you are believing this, you have just taken part in a mass hoax on this very special, unofficial holiday.
Today is one of my favorite days of the year; the day that I can bestow my mischievous antics on the people in my life and get away with it. I would say they are unsuspecting, but anyone who knows me well is bound to be expecting some elaborate, highly-planned shenanigans from me. I am the queen of the April Fool’s prank.
I get the gift of jest honestly; it all started when I was a kid. My Mamaw and I would plot for days to see who could trick the other first and best. In the beginning, the jokes were just a “made you look” or “you have something on your shirt” small attempts to fool. Over the years, they became more involved and believable. I can remember the year that I had my dad buy some fake poop so I could strategically place it out in the pool area where I knew Mamaw was bound to see it. I can remember hiding in the screened in room that led out to the pool after I saw her head outside. I could hardly hold in the giggles as I peeked in between some pool floats as she stumbled upon what she thought was a big pile of dog droppings. “BARNEY!” she screamed. “GET YOUR BUTT OUT HERE” (along with some other choice words). Poor Barney ran off, completely unaware of why he was in trouble. She stormed into the house and grabbed some paper towels, grumbling to herself the whole time. When she reached down to pick up the pile, I jumped out and shouted ”APRILS FOOLS” and ran back in the house. After that year, it was on. Year after year we upped our game, even when I moved out on my own, got married and had my daughter.
After Mamaw passed away, my Mom became the target of my practical jokes. At this point, my daughter was old enough to become my partner in crime. My all time favorite prank was the year that we took a plastic snake through the McDonalds drive through and had the employee stick the snake inside a big sundae cup, covering it with vanilla ice cream. We took it to my Mom’s store and surprised her with a yummy treat. Sidenote: Mom is terrified of snakes and very easy to fool! She dug the long spoon into the cup and out came a big dollop of ice cream covered in snake! My daughter squealed with glee and jumped up and down as she chanted “April Fools!” We actually got Mom’s reaction on camera, but if I posted it on here I may not live to write another article! The snake made two other guest appearances over the next few years, once on her driveway and another time inside her toilet. I’m surprised she hasn’t disowned me yet, but honestly I think she enjoys it. The best part is that I know she anticipates it every year, but somehow we still seem to catch her off guard. Her sense of humor is one of the many things we love about her and these are the moments we will remember forever.
Now that my daughter is grown and off to college, we have continued the pranks long distance. As a matter of fact, she will have received a little care package in the mail today with some snacks and perhaps a fake bug or two hidden in the box. I can’t wait to get the call after she opens it. I even enlisted the help of her roommate to send me a video of her reaction!
I share my silly stories because I think we all need more fun and laughter in our lives, especially these days. The world has become so tarnished and jaded that we have forgotten joy in the simplest form. We need to get back to the days when harmless jokes and pranks were not only accepted, but welcome! Laughter truly is the best medicine. Clearly, I am not saying we should do anything that could harm a person mentally or physically, but what’s wrong with some innocent fun? A sticky-note covered mirror or saran wrap covered toilet never hurt anyone!
So if you happen to see me around today, I welcome your attempts at fooling me–unless I get you first!!!
Melodye Lewis is a Friday columnist for Flagler News Weekly giving you something to talk about over lunch.
