‘By Jennifer Williams, Contributor, US Daily Review.
“To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.”
I found this proverb or saying this morning as I was trying to come up with some words to express to a friend about how I have appreciated our short friendship. We met over the summer while I was living and working inSoutheast Alaskaand we share, among other things, a wicked caffeine habit. I am thankful for the strong dark elixir that was dispensed from the personal Biagi coffee stash and the favor is being returned. It is indeed an old pleasure shared with a new friend.
What is it about coffee that makes us want to meet and talk over it? We don’t talk over the coffee so much as we may comment on it but then we move on to other topics quickly. The weather, the day’s dragons to be slayed, the fight with the spouse last night, the kid’s schoolwork, what happened yesterday…the coffee mugs are cradled in our hands on the table between us as we talk. We will sip at it, feeling the warmth roll over our tongues and slide down our throats. We may offer up an opinion – it’s still too hot or it just happens to taste extra good on that morning. Then we go onto something else, taking for granted that there will be more coffee dispensed in a never-ending process. We might only become aware of its presence again when it’s gone or if we’ve had too much. Once in a while, we will get fancy and go for an Americano or a Breve Cappuccino. But I am most happy with straight-up, strong, black coffee. It doesn’t change the conversation topics – we still hash out over whatever comes up in that unfocused time slot given over to discussion. Although, Chris…a word about your threats to give up caffeine…again and again and again…
Sharing a cup of coffee allows conversation that I think would not take place otherwise. We feel comfortable introducing ourselves to others, we smile, we get up for a refill and commiserate with fellow caffeine addicts on a refill then go right back to the original conversation. Where were we, you might ask upon returning, just to make sure you don’t miss anything. Coffee helps us hash through the highs and lows of life – we stare down into the dark brew in order to contemplate and if the mug is large enough, you can even see your reflection in it. But in the end, we do have to move on from the simplicity of that early morning habit to get on with our day. Until then, consider an old friend, share with a new friend, and offer up solace and companionship to both.
Jennifer Williams is adjunct faculty in American History at Ashland (OH) University and the American Public University System. She is also the teaching chef for the New Day Family Resource Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Her interests are photography and curling. She lives with her family in Norwalk, Ohio.
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