Thanks for the Support

As the seasons change, many other things around us are changing too. Some changes are drastic and expected, such as the temperature or the color of nature around us. The greens, pinks, and whites become so vivid after a brown and gray winter. Another anticipated change is that of our wardrobes. The chunky sweaters are being pushed to the back of the closet and the colorful, frilly, flowery tops make their way to front row center. Other changes aren't thought about as much by some people, but a change that I'm anticipating this winter-turning-into-spring, is the change from hot coffee to iced coffee. There is something so simple yet so powerful about holding a cup of coffee between both hands. On winter weekend mornings, I would look forward to brewing my own coffee at home, wrapping myself up in a blanket, and plopping down on the couch with the hot mug between my palms. Now, as the summer air tickles us from afar, we long for that sweaty cup with the perfect combination of coffee, milk, sugar, and ice to seduce us and refresh us on those torturous days. We cringe when we hear the slurps of an empty iced coffee and swish the straw around though as to be sure to get every...last...drop.

Currently there have only been a few occurrences of preferring the iced coffee over the hot. I haven't made the official switch of the season yet, which I suppose is an added bonus to this wishy-washy weather. I don't want to give up my hot coffee yet. I'm just not ready. There is nothing quite like the feeling that I get when I walk out of Dunkin Donuts, head held high, and get the first real whiff of that medium-vanilla-with-skim-milk-and-sugar-please flavor. I know it's going to be a good day- no matter what happens at work, no matter what goes on at home, because I have the self-confidence boost from that styrofoam cup in my hands. I can conquer the world. What is it about a simple thing- coffee- that has turned so revolutionary? Our world and our daily activities revolve around coffee. Buzzwords have entered out vocabulary- coffee run, coffee break, coffee date. I am just as much to blame as the person next to me. It must taste exactly as we want it, it must be the right brand, the right size, the right temperature, the right shade of brown, the right setting for our mood. Rarely do we venture outside of our comfort zones and explore new options. However, sometimes when we do it is a pleasant surprise! Either way, there is something about that grip I have on my coffee cup in the morning that provides me with happiness. I consider it a moral support. Yes, my hot coffee in the morning gives me the moral support to push me through the day by invigorating all five of my senses. It gives me a sense of ownership- this cup of coffee will not let me down!

How truly sad I am to see the day's first cup tilt all the way backwards, all the way upside down, and to be reassured that nothing more is coming out. I must make my trek to the trash can, and throw away the day's first, and sometimes only, cherished cup of coffee. The empty styrofoam lays lightly atop whatever else may have already made it to the garbage. But let me tell you; that white cup shines with pride as I toss it lightly, it knows it just began my day positively. I now have a boost of caffeine, a boost of pride, and that moral support to take me anywhere. Soon enough the empty styrofoam will be replaced by that all too familiar sound of the squeaking straw, desperate for another sip of richness. But not quite yet, these chilly mornings allow me to not only think about what's in store for me on this new day but it also allows me the excitement to know I have another day of warm moral support from that trusty cup of hot coffee.

What a good morning it will be.