Sunday Afternoon Tea... sort of

I was recently sitting in my favorite campus coffee shop, watching the rain splash against the window as students tapped away on laptops and a professor (I assume) sat in one of the cushy leather chairs listening to music from his ipod while making notes on a pad of paper.

Christopher had me meet him there with the temptation of treating me to delicious coffee with heart shaped froth and the best rainy day atmosphere (in my humble opinion) on campus.

While Christopher borrowed my umbrella and walked to the parking garage to retrieve his laptop from the Buick, I called my daughter to share the moment... for it is even more enjoyable an event when one can share it with another who understands.

While I spend a great deal of time at home and enjoy what I do, I must have those moments once in awhile where I get away from all that is pulling me in directions of "must do" at the house. I read and the phone rings. I walk through the kitchen to catch the news on TV and see the dishes soaking in the sink which need my immediate attention. There is the sound of the buzzer on the dryer that the clothes need attention or the stove reminding me it is time to remove the muffins or check the baked potatoes.

At home the garden is calling (honestly, sometimes I think I can hear the siren song... come, weed me, harvest me, etc.) or one of the neighborhood dogs is running toward me for itchies behind the ears (so I am a sucker for their big brown eyes). Inside once again, I notice the chipped paint on the kitchen cabinets and the crumbs dropped on the floor.

That is why I love to get away from it all at a favorite coffee shop near campus... or Panera... or Starbucks. No longer can I afford my favorite latte but coffee with cream and Splenda while away from all the work calling my name... that will do just fine. If I'm fortunate, there is enough change left for a small snack.

Sometimes, especially if it is early in the morning, I take my Bible and notebook. As the sun moves across the sky, I tend to need fiction... or perhaps inspirational reading. On the rainy day in question, I slipped one of my favorite Thomas Kinkade books (Lightposts for Living: the Art of Choosing a Joyful Life) in the cloth Rural Electric bag.

Christopher later joined me with his computer so I set the book aside and chatted about Calculus lectures, the pros and cons of his new professors, and interesting facts popping up as he read the articles on his computer.

The stories led to discussing actors who started in horror movies (which I do not like) and how good Matthew McConaughey was in Contact (a fascinating movie to discuss humanist worldviews... especially with high school and college age young people). What is there about such a place that promotes not only reading and pondering but interesting discussion?

The time quickly passed and before we knew it, Dad was finishing his work and joining us at the coffeehouse to head for home. (I had driven them in so they didn't have to walk the long distance from the parking lot in the pouring rain that morning.)

It never ceases to amaze me about our Lord... the gifts He has given so we may have even a little enjoyment here and there... the small pleasures just as important as huge answers to prayer. So... today I recalled spicy coffee and coffeehouse atmosphere instead of tea time... but coffee is in the title and must receive its' due honor once in awhile. Even on Sunday. :)

Picture: Coffee House Corner: allposters.com