As you have probably guessed, Dave is doing well, and his blood counts have been very promising. His hemoglobin has been slow to gain a normal status, but that is not unusual for one whose body has been through about as much as Rocky I, II and III. I will say this…he is gaining weight and looking pretty buff. In fact, after he lifts weights, does his bench dips and jumps rope, he looks better than Sylvester Stallone did in Rocky III. He is not quite 200 pounds, but getting pretty darn close. And when we went from a toilet paper shortage to a meat shortage, that made me a little worried. Luckily, our freezer was replenished by family and a close friend when news leaked that I was becoming nervous about the shortage.

But a while back, toilet paper was not so easily replenished, not even if one was willing to pay top dollar for a 12-pack of Charmin. And, knowing that everyone is taking this pandemic very seriously and staying home, I thought it might be timely to share a humorous story about a toilet paper theft.

While in Florida back in March, Dave and I self-quarantined with the neighbors on each side of us. There is a simple explanation for this. Because our daily activities had involved our four neighbors since January, it was natural for it to continue through this lockdown that we were all experiencing. We were like a family of six.

Early one morning, I went walking with Diane and Joanna. Early to me is 8:30, but early to the two of them is 5:30 a.m. Needless to say, they were both out in the driveway waiting for me. I hustled to meet them and the first thing out of their mouths was that someone had broken into Diane’s house and stole toilet paper. “What. You are kidding me, right?” I replied as I controlled my laugh. I mean, c’mon – who would do such a thing? Well, I took off at a quick clip, keeping in front of the two of them as they discussed who could have done it. I just couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

After discovering the toilet paper theft around 6 a.m. that morning, Diane checked her security cameras, called several neighbors and alerted her friends. She had everyone checking to see if their toilet paper was swiped, too! Joanna texted her husband and asked him to scan their cameras as well. Maybe they could catch someone unusual on someone’s security cameras. Diane called the girls down the street and told them to keep an eye out and make sure to lock the doors. I was listening and laughing because it was just getting funnier and funnier.

Then, they questioned me and asked if it was possible if the workers, who had been helping us with a bathroom remodel, could have done it. I quickly said, “Oh no. I am very sure that they would never do something like that.” I was still staying ahead of them because it was pretty rude that I lacked the concern they both had — but it was “gut-wrenching” funny. As we were about to cross at the stop sign, they looked at each other and wondered if they should get the police involved. Could you imagine what that conversation was going to sound like?

I was close to doubled over by now because I was laughing so hard. And then, I had to fess up. I took the toilet paper the night before and hid it in Diane’s closet. I’m not sure what possessed me at the time to do a prank like that. But there, out in the open for all to see, was a stack of four rolls just waiting to be hidden. So — I did it.

Now I wouldn’t suggest that you pull this prank on just anyone. Nor should you go into anyone’s freezer and deplete his or her stock of meat. But I have found that a lot of good has come out of our slower-paced lives. Dave and I laugh every day about some of the silliest things. And we never forget to count our blessings and pray for everyone we know to stay safe and stay healthy.

And by the way, I did ask God to forgive me for my prank as the toilet paper bandit. I’m pretty sure He laughed about it, too.