My favorite beverage growing up, without a doubt, was Great Bluedini Kool-Aid. When I was a kid I used to have an official Kool-Aid Man pitcher, and I filled it with that antifreeze-like product so often in time it was permanently stained blue.

Didn’t bother me at all.

I’ve found it difficult to pinpoint the exact date the Kool-Aid company discontinued that marvelous flavor. Seems as though it was available in different markets at different times. I’m not sure the last time I bought one of those mix packets but I’m pretty sure the year started with 19.

But buy them I did. Many, many of them when I knew they would no longer be available. (Remember that episode of Seinfeld with Elaine and the sponges? It was like that.)

I saved them, of course, and brought them out only on special occasions. About 10 years ago I had three left, and decided I’d keep those for truly momentous events.

The first was consumed on June 7, 2012. That was the day I turned 30.

The second was consumed on March 7, 2014. That was the day we brought my newborn son home from the hospital. (He did not have any.)

The third was consumed last night: August 7, 2018. And this time, my son did have some. Yesterday was my final day of summer camp… ever. I’m starting a new job tomorrow, noteworthy enough to break out the blue stuff.

I suppose a gig is a gig; Kool-Aid, however, has no equal to Great Bluedini.

Cheers!