It is no secret how much I love coffee.  I can drink it day or night without jitters, sleeplessness or stomach trouble.  There is a shelf in my shower that nicely holds my coffee cup, plastic cup of course. I don’t want to think about what would happen with glass!

I am not a coffee snob.  I love Stewart’s coffee, Green Mountain Blend at the near-by Mobil, DD and Starbucks. If I am in CT, Stew Leonard’s makes a mean non-fat mocha latte (light on the mocha). However, I am a card-carrying Starbucks gold member and I have the app on my iPhone.  I live within walking distance to Starbucks so I know the gang there and they know me. It is great.

This particular Starbucks seems to be able to get the best people. Not because of how they make coffee but because of how they are as human beings.  They are better than a bartender, because you can drink and drive after you leave there; they are better than a shrink, because  they listen and share from the heart and mostly, they are GREAT because what goes on in Starbucks, stays in Starbucks. They are friends.

We are at a crossroads now.  Joe and Sally and leaving to move on to new things and new places.  These two are wonderful people who have greeted me at 5:30am on my way to White Plains; wished me Merry Christmas with an extra shot, when my mother-in-law was here for a week; and shared their personal stories with me sometimes laughing until my sides hurt. (The Vespa story is my favorite).

Sally, I wish you the best and safe travels.  Remember in some European countries they drive on the opposite side! Joe, I will miss you in the morning and at Zumba.  I hope the City is good to you.

And so life goes on and these people have touched my life and my family’s life.  I only let my son, who is 12, walk into this Starbucks alone because I know Sally and her gang are watching him like I would watch him.  We lost a high school classmate last week.  She was beautiful, funny and kind.  She had brain cancer.  Don’t let time pass you by so stop and get to know the people you see every day. It will enhance your time here and hopefully their time too.