It is no secret that I am a coffee fanatic.  I drink coffee all day long and sleep like a baby after a nice strong late night cappuccino. I have three coffee makers, two French presses and the Italian coffee pot, Bialetti. Matter of fact, I had coffee tcby yogurt for my afternoon snack today! I have a shelf on my shower to hold my cup in the morning and an auto load setting on my Dunkin Donut and Starbucks apps.  You could say, coffee is in my life…fully present!

Coffee plays a vital role in our society and in turn has many faces.

• “The Discussion”. You know the drill, let’s talk over coffee.  That could mean anything from “Congratulations, you have been promoted”, to “I’m sorry, this is not working out.”
• “The Negotiator”.  I have closed many business deals over coffee and dessert.  Coffee rounds out the lunch and let’s you get to the nitty gritty as to why we are all here. For the record, Yes, I do shame people who order decaf or heaven forbid, tea.
• “The Date”.  It’s just coffee right? Usually a safe bet for a first meet/date.  When I was younger I dated a guy named Eddie.  Eddie was 9 years old than I was and was a bit of an old soul.  He loved to go out for coffee.  I was 21 years old at the time and coffee on a Friday night?  No way, let’s go dancing!  Eddie passed away from Leukemia at a young age.  I should have had a cup of coffee with him that one last time he asked.
• “The Workplace Bonding Coffee Run”. You know it. It happens in the afternoon around 3pm, someone will say, “I’m going for coffee” and the orders being to gather.  The type of coffee a person drinks tells a lot about them.  Too sweet, too light, extra hot, extra shot, mocha, caramel etc. etc. the possibilities are endless. I worked hand in hand with a guy years ago and we knew how the other took their coffee.  I bet most spouses don’t know how their mate drinks their coffee.  Chip does, he rocks it.
• “The Italian cure”.  I grew up drinking coffee, and I have to admit, wine as well, but that is another story.  I would sit with my grandmother Amelia and play tea party, but we, of course, drank coffee.  Percolated coffee. Does that it explain it a little better now? We would have coffee and Stella D’oro cookies and then take a nap. (I miss her so badly.)
• “The Dream”. Now there is Death Wish Coffee and that is my favorite.  It arguable has the highest amount of caffeine yet is so smoooooth.  I have it in the coffee maker, the French press and the Keurig.  Matter of fact, I am having some right now.  It’s pure bliss with a little skim milk.  (Oh I have a frother too!)

The best part and the crowing jewel of my coffee existence is having a daughter working as a barista at Starbucks.  I was so sad when she went back to college because I lost the benefit of a free pound of coffee a week.  She wants to be a doctor. Well, maybe one day I will work in her practice and drink coffee and answer the phones. Sounds like a good gig.