Gum!

There's no gum that's compatible with my eating plan. All of them have some sort of sweetener -- artificial, natural or sugar alcohol.

So, since October 2007, I hadn't bought gum. I like it, and I didn't want the temptation. I thought it'd be too easy to pop some in my mouth.

A couple of weeks ago, though, my 5-year-old expressed some longing for gum. So, next time I was at the store, I bought a pack for the kids. I hadn't seen them so excited in a long time. It was like the Ingalls children getting their Christmas box.

I was surprised, but it hasn't been an issue for me. I apparently can have gum in my purse now without any problem with chewing it. I'm out of the habit.

And, I do like doing something for the little guy once in a while, especially something so simple that brings him such joy.