Every good thing must...come to a new beginning
January 13th and reason to write. I am again in my favorite coffee shop and had a short but friendly exchange with the barista about her badly chipped mug and it's possible harboring of contaminants. My sister would probably chide me for my invasion of the young lady's privacy as well as for my unsolicited advice. Perhaps she's right, but sometimes I receive new affirmation and the gift of gratitude from complete strangers when I exhibit such "normal for me" behavior! Today was one of those times, and no doubt further encouragement for my "stepping outside the lines" behavior. In her defense, my sister is 9 years younger and far better behaved than me...perhaps the product of more experienced parenting by Pauline and Andre after three rowdy boys between us!
Alex, whose name I know because she asked my name and introduced herself with a handshake after my advice was given, is new at Empire. She was drinking from what I could see was obviously a well loved pale blue mug that said "Hello Darling" in a comfortable script type font. When I drew the chips and cracks to her attention and noted that they are a welcome landing for bacteria to grow on, she grew truly chagrined. Soooo, I turned that frown upside down, as my motherly instinct directed me to do! I told Alex she could repurpose that mug to serve as a planter for a succulent or ivy. Maybe I also told her to buy one at Stop and Shop (?) just in case she wondered about such a purchase in a New England January setting? Yes...I did. I also suggested that if she was not a plant person she could always use the mug as a pen/pencil holder.
Is it true that her generation has no call for those writing implements in an age of endless phone storage and communication possibilities? She did not roll her eyes! Actually, she thanked me! She looked longingly at the mug again though, and I knew she would miss it as the vessel for sipping that she had become accustomed to. I know this because my spirit recognizes like minded spirits, and I have been in just such place! So, in "fixer" fashion that can sometimes be mistaken as nosy and smother mothering, I offered a new and optimistic thought based on a an old idea..."every good thing must come to an end" is what came to mind, BUT "every good thing must come to a new beginning" is what I told her. Alex smiled, then asked my name, extended her hand to shake mine and introduced herself. She said, " I like your spirit". I smiled, thanked her and headed over to the booth with my tea, affirmed and uplifted...oh and, inspired to tell you!
