Denial

I've given up chocolate for Lent this year. It's been 7 days now and I haven't cracked yet (we'll ignore that incident a few days ago when I almost mugged a five year old for her Milky Way). Those of you who know me might appreciate strength of will that takes. Aren't you proud of my resolve?

My display of abstinence isn't for reasons of religion. It's rare that I give up things for Lent, but when I do it's usually as a show of support for someone else. It began a few years ago, when one of my co-workers decided to give up sweets and chocolate, and got mocked endlessly by others in the department. They even went so far as to buy him desserts when we went out to lunch together. This struck me as a rather cruel jest, so I decided to join him in his fast to even the odds some.

This year it's for Nicky and Kerry. Poor Kerry is only Catholic by proxy (by way of marriage), but she's nevertheless sworn off chocolate until Easter and seems rather distraught about it (who wouldn't?). I doubt my show of self-restraint will make her feel any better about her own situation, but it might help a little, and is therefore worthwhile.

Now, how many days left until Easter?