A few weeks ago I published a post titled, “Thank You for the Coffee” an ABBA-esque tribute to my husband and his loving coffee service.
A few days ago the unthinkable happened.
There was no coffee in the house.
My thoughtful and loving husband had forgotten to mention he used the last of it to make coffee the day before. The panic stricken thoughts that ran through my mind were jarring.
“How could he FORGET to tell me we ran out of coffee?”
“He KNOWS how much my morning DEPENDS on coffee!”
“Calm down. It will be ok. There is chai tea. I can just make some of that.”
“Ok, it’s not as good, but once I wake up, I can run to the store and buy real coffee.”
“How am I supposed to wake up?!”
This whole scenario made me really think hard about the history and nature of my coffee addiction. (Apparently, when I think hard, I think in bullet point lists.)
- I used to beg sips out of my mother’s coffee as a child (or often my dad’s because he added more sugar).
- The first time I drank coffee out of necessity was after a late night science project in middle school.
- I began to drink coffee regularly in college and even had a 4-cup coffee pot in my room.
- Probably the last time I went without was more than seven years ago while pregnant with my 4th child. Even then, I’m sure I just gave it up the first trimester.
- My addiction has now reached a level of panic and caffeine withdrawal symptoms if I miss my morning coffee.
- One cup is like trying to eat one potato chip. I drink up to three every morning and often one in the afternoon.
- The coffee experience is as much about the morning ritual as it is about the caffeine. The caffeine keeps me from having a headache, but the ritual starts my morning with a peaceful warm cup of joy during my quiet reading time.
- Coffee is a vehicle for pleasant conversations with good friends.
Does any of this alarm me or make me think I should cut back?
Absolutely not.
I live in the land of a Starbucks on every corner and hip, trendy coffee shops on the opposite corner.
I will, however, be more aware of our supply in the future. A morning without coffee is no morning at all.
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