Coffee Time by Lisa Bull

Coffee isn’t my best friend. It’s a drink. I mean, I like it. It’s smooth, warm, and comforting at times. But, it’s just…a drink.

I enjoy making posts on Facebook about coffee. A lot of times people will post pictures on my wall that have to do with coffee because they think I have an “addiction”. I don’t drink all that much coffee. No. Really. I don’t. I have maybe three cups a day. MAYBE.

Here’s the thing. Coffee has nice memories for me.

My earliest memory of coffee goes back to traveling as a preschooler. We lived in Missouri and would travel to Illinois to see my Grandparents. My dad always had a thermos of hot coffee with him. Remember those old thermoses with the red lid which doubled as a cup? He would take of that lid, unscrew the cap and the aroma would waft through the car. I can still smell it. Sometimes he would even pour a little for me in that red cup. I would put my little chubby hands around it and drink in its warmth…Ahhhh

I also have memories of coffee as an older child. My parents pastored a church, so my mom would often hostess gatherings. Coffee was always served and with it laughter and happiness were shared.

When we did visit my Grandparents, my Grandma always had coffee in the morning. So, the smell of coffee brewing in the morning is a sweet reminder of her.

In my teen years, Mom and Dad had coffee every morning. Dad was more of a “drinker” than mom was, but they both enjoyed it. Coffee was part of my everyday life. In those days, we didn’t have coffee shops on every corner. Teenagers going out for coffee wasn’t a “thing”. But, my family always had coffee available. Many many conversations took place with a cup of coffee in my parents’ hands.

When my husband and I got married, we were given a coffee pot. I learned to make coffee. After all, we were grown-ups (or so we thought). In those days he and I drank our coffee “tea-style”. (You could see the bottom of the cup). We thought we were really something. As the children came, and the nights grew longer, the coffee became stronger. Seems like these days we can’t get it strong enough.

What is nice though, is that my husband and I can enjoy a cup of coffee together. Sometimes, it might even be date for us. It’s something we can share. Quiet time, sipping liquid comfort.

Coffee has given me something else. It has given me Time With Friends. I have made a number of new girlfriends over a cup of coffee. I have cried with friends over a cup of coffee. I have even had coffee dates with friends who live thousands of miles away via internet. Last year, we drove out of our way returning from vacation just so I could see my cousin for a cup of coffee while she was on vacation in another state! Do I do all of these things because I love coffee?

No. I enjoy the memories that cups of coffee have given me over the years.

So, here’s to coffee! May the drink be smooth and the memories be treasured.

Coffee Time by Lisa Bull