Personal Narrative

Church Gum

One Sunday morning, many Sunday mornings ago, we were at church. The congregation was standing and singing when the urge hit me. I really wanted a piece of gum. Keep in mind that I am not a big gum chewer and that I was old enough to be trusted sitting with friends instead of my mom.

Mother was known for always having gum, Wrigley’s double-mint, in that dull lime green packaging with the silver wrappers concealing each piece. We used to spend hours trying to separate the silver and white parts of those wrappers. Maybe to pass the time in church or maybe for some other reason, I am not sure why we did that, but we did. Mom was a church singer through and through. She sang in the choir, as well as solos and just whenever the spirit hit her. And I remember her saying something about gum kepping her vocal cords loose – or something like that. I don’t know but Patsy Cline used to chew gum too.

       This particular Sunday, I just know that I needed that allotted half stick of gum. I spotted mom some ways up and excused myself from the kid area (as it was known to the kids). I crept up the side isle, between the wall and pews, so as not to disturb the adults. Every so often I would have to look down to make sure that I did not trip over the floor vents, but would glance down and back up quickly to keep the target in site. When I was close enough, I made my way threw the people in the row behind mom and half whispering half talking said, “Mom, I need gum.”

She grabbed her purse, reached in and turned to give me the Wrigley’s lime green package. Making sure the unopened pack was firmly planted in my hand, I looked up to thank her –only to realize that this was not my mother. It was her hair and a similar dress, but not Mom. Which I pointed out loudly with a, “You’re not mom!” This got the entire congregation’s attention and that statement was followed by, “But you have the same gum, so” my voice went down to a normal talking voice, “that makes this,” gasp, “church gum.” I declared this not only in my head but apparently out loud too. To my amazement the song had ended and everyone broke out into a roar of laughter. It was at this point I saw my mom, two rows in front of this lady. She was grinning but pink in the face. I took the gum, but did not return to my original seat. I instead decided that I should go sit beside my mom.

Some time later, I noticed gum in my antster’s (aunt raised as a sister) purse. It was Juicy Fruit, however. I always wondered if that was because she was rebelling some way against the church. When others try to tell this story, they jokingly call her a heathen, but I did not know that word at the time.

We still use the story and even the phrase when asking for gum. We no longer just say, “Got any gum?” Now we say, “Got any church gum?” I am still not a big gum chewer, but keep a half piece or two in my purse, because you never know.