Dedicated to Lillian Irene Musser Edwards
Gnarled fingers grasping a thick white ceramic mug
Filled with black liquid of which the aroma
Calls you
Begs you to take some time and
Sit.
She had been outside in the morning sun
Capturing the dew on her shoes
Bringing in the aroma of summers’ tomatoes
The fresh scent of living verdure mixed with a
Little brown soil.
I have her all to myself.
We sit and talk
She lets me sip from her mug
My eyes close tight
My face follows suit
Accordingly…
While my tongue wants to expel the bitterness
I swallow and come up quickly
For fresh air
“Gram, how do you drink that?”
No sugar, no cream
She smiled and said
“I just do.”
“Well, I could never do that!”
The day came when morning and coffee
Beckoned me to sit and take time
At the table
With my mom and my first-born child
In the high chair
The mug would warm my hands
As well as the conversation
But my coffee wasn’t black
Cream and two sugars
Thank you
Yum.
My gram went to heaven
I was carrying my fourth child
Her last meal was fed to her
By me
With a few spoonfuls of black coffee
I held her hand and
Kissed her cheek.
I have so many beautiful memories.
Thoughts of her holding that mug
Allow me to feel close to her.
Over the years
Not realizing
I weaned the sugar yet
Poured the cream in
Until it stirred itself.
Again
Unknowingly…
The cream began to
Diminish
I had to stir.
One day, I found myself
Counting the drops
One-two-three
Okay, I can do this.
My next cup of coffee was
Black
Naked
Adorned with only the virtues bestowed
And I loved it!
For years now
I have been drinking coffee
Black
One drawback…
I must wait longer
To sip and enjoy and linger.
It is so worth the wait.
It has been 18 years since my grandmother passed away. Six children. One grandchild. Seven years of drinking coffee black. And it took writing my thoughts down to realize how much I enjoyed watching my grandmother drink her coffee. And how special I felt when she took some time to be with me.
I hope that someday I can offer beautiful memories, and coffee, to my grandchildren.
What traditions or even daily habits do you have that were initiated by someone you hold dear? Maybe you can tell them how they made something so simple, beautiful, for you.
Kimberley Formosa © 2010
That was great and thanks you for sharing it with me. I do remember those times as well. I have been drinking my coffee black before the 90’s even started 🙂 If you don’t have the time to let the coffee cool, just drop an ice cube or 2 in the cup and stir. It won’t de-loot the coffee too much, but it will allow you to drink your coffee sooner. 🙂
Love you,
Ronnie
Thanks Ronnie! Every once in a while when life is crazy busy, I will make my coffee extra strong and then put the ice cube in, then I don’t notice and can gulp as I run! Love you!!