I remember the first time a sip of coffee didn't cause me to cringe. Up until that point coffee was a substance with a phenomenal aroma that caused me (on many occasions) to stick my head into a bag of coffee beans and breath deep. However, the taste, to me, was god-awful.The day I left my husband I showed up at my father's doorstep sniveling and sobbing. You know that crying that takes over you until you're left hiccuping for breath,and doesn't generally happen to anyone after they've past the age of 3? That was the state I was in.
After being ushered in and embraced with concerned hugs from both my father and step-mother, I was provided with a cup of coffee while I told them of my decision. I drank the whole thing (it was a REALLY big mug, these are coffee people) and asked for more. It was wonderful. The taste (she had added just the right mix of cream and sugar to please my tastebuds), the feeling of the hot mug in my hand, and the fact that it gave me a focal point for my gaze while I was pondering how to verbalize my emotion, were reasons why this sweet and strong nectar seemed to take the edge off of such a heart wrenching moment.
Today The Good Guy and I had time to kill while the car was being serviced. We walked around town and stopped at a small bookstore with a large selection of greeting cards. We each found several that we couldn't pass up, so we made our purchases and headed to the only coffee shop in town. While there, we sipped mochas and nibbled biscotti and lemon pound cake as we wrote notes inside of our card selections.
As we sat in the shop, with a gentleman using a laptop to the left of us and a man reading a newspaper to the right, I couldn't help but wonder...What is it about coffee shops? What is it that brings people together to sit and relax while drinking a stimulant? What is it that makes people perfectly comfortable to meet up with someone new, or and old friend, or a business associate, or to sit alone? What is it that makes us able to break the ice with the unassuming question, "Would you like to go out for a cup of coffee sometime?"
I suppose that if I pondered long enough I could come up with meaningful answers to these (somewhat rhetorical) questions, but part of the fun is in simply accepting. I love the aura of a coffee shop. I love that I am comfortable doing any of the above things, and that I am comfortable doing so for hours on end.
I should add that I do my best to frequent small privately owned coffee shops instead of the monster corporation that is Starbucks. I always try to help the little guy whenever possible. That's not to say that I never go to Starbucks. I'm not perfect.
Anyway, I digress...I'm glad that I joined the club of people that enjoy coffee, and all of the experience that comes with it. Before I had that sip of my step-mother's perfect mixture I had yet to experience the community sensation I get while sitting with my friends in our local coffee shop. Perhaps for me, it's the association with having the strength to make an immensly difficult decision. Whatever the reason, it's nice to know that wherever I go, I can always find someplace that serves coffee. I can take time to gaze into my mug as I ponder my next move, and I will have some comfort as I do so.
6 comments:
I was just about to click on the Post a Comment link when I noticed the time stamp of the post - 5:15 AM?! You gotta have coffee to be up at that time.
I have not come over the the coffee side yet, although many have tried to lure me. Sadly, I'm a Coke addict (as in the dark liquid) and get one every morning. I do still love coffee shops, though. I love the smell! I just get the green tea and soak up the smell of coffee beans! :)
Steph- My friend J is not a coffee drinker either. Like you she sticks to coke and pepsi (she has it with breakfast!!!) When she and I hang out at the coffee shop she sticks to chai tea or hot chocolate.
I am not really a coffee person. When I worked in Kosovo, I would have a cappucino ( not the crap they serve at starbux, but a REAL cappucino) and sit with friend and just chat. A real cappucino is desert, not coffee. Once, a friend invited me to starbux, and I went, I knew I liked cappucinos, so I ordered one, I have no clue what the crap is they had in that cup, but it wasn't a cappucino, not even close. Ok I have raved on your blog, I apologize. Gimme a local coffe shop any day, as long as they have tea, hot or iced, I don't care. I am still not a coffee person, strange for a cop huh?
Barry-No need to apologize, I love comments, especially the rants, it gives me more to read :-)
You're right though, even though I focused on the coffee specifically, a coffee shop is more about atmosphere than the actual beverage. That's why they offer tea ;-)
Oh this post is near and dear to my heart. I am a coffee addict with no plans to recover! :) I use a French Press lately and its as close to heaven as it gets. This Sheik knows what he is talking about!
TN-Since The Good Guy and I are vegetarians, and try to keep the dairy to a minimum, I rarely have cream in the house. I (unlike my love) like cream in my coffee. I try not to drink it every day as I have an addictive personality (chocolate is the only addiction I'll allow myself), so the cream usually goes bad before I use it.
The point to this long winded lead in, is that I rarely drink coffee made at home. I usually stop and get my mug "refilled". I think we have one of those presses around here somewhere...maybe I'll buy some cream and give it another try.
Post a Comment