On one Thursday evening I decided to go to the local supermarket on my way home from work. I needed to get a few things, some veggies for a salad I wanted to make to go with the lasagna I prepared the previous night. I needed one cucumber, two tomatoes and a one yellow onion which I would dice and mix together. I also needed a cilantro bunch that I was going to finely chop and sprinkle over the top of the salad. The dressing consisted of olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano. The final touch would be freshly squeezed lime juice. I had everything else except the lime. With my list in my hand I entered the supermarket and headed straight towards the produce area. I always found it interesting that they always had the fresh flowers next to the produce section. This particular supermarket had them right across the Red Delicious Apple display. Although, apples where not on my list of things to buy I began to pick a few out for after dinner. While I my attention was consumed in choosing what I thought was the best red apples, a gentleman approached me and said, “Hi! Do you mind if I ask you something?” I looked up and noticed that he had a dozen of red roses in his hand. I looked at him, smile and responded, “Hi! No go right ahead.” He smiled and asked me, “What do you think about these roses? Do you think that they look good? Do you think that they will last or die right away?” His voice had a hint of nervousness in it. I️ can tell that the purchase of these flowers meant a great deal to him. I put the apples down and began to inspect the roses. They didn’t look too good. I thought. A few of them were beginning to show signs of wilting so I pointed this out to him and began to help him search for better looking roses. While we were looking around he expressed that he wanted something that would last and that had meaning. I asked him who they were for? He turned to me and with a big smile on his face he said that they were for this lady that he had been courting for a while. He shared that they had been having a distant relationship. She had been out of the country in Bosnia visiting a sick relative. She had returned today and he was on his way to see her. He wanted to surprise her with flowers. I smiled and said “Red roses say I love you! White roses express purity of the heart. Hope for the future with new beginnings. He nodded his head ok and then asked me, “Would you choose half a dozen or a dozen?” I answered, “A dozen. Always a dozen. He asked me what I thought about Lilies. I told him they were also nice, but it depended on the message that he was trying to send this lady. He turned to me with the biggest smile, purest bright eyes and said, “I love her and I want her to know that I do. I want to let her know that I missed her and that I hated being apart from her. Not able to see her and touch her was devastating. I️ love her!” He loved her. I saw it because his eyes lit up when he was talking about her. I heard it in the softness of his voice when he spoke about her. So I responded, “Well then I think you should get her the dozen white roses. It will let her know that your heart is pure for her and that you long for a future with her.” With a big smile I handed him a dozen of new beginnings. He took the flowers, thanked me and walked to the register. His had a certain rhythm as if he was given the winning lotto ticket. I wished him good luck and went back to picking my Red Delicious Apples and everything else that was on my list. I recapped all that had happened and thought, “Wow I saw love. It was pure, new and full of possibilities.

When I got home my children asked me why I was late coming home from work. They asked what was I doing that made me so late. I answered “I saw love guys.” and went into the kitchen to put the lasagna in the oven and make my salad. They gave me a strange look, shrugged their shoulders and asked when would dinner be ready.

5 of #52essays2017

I decided to go to Starbucks on this Sunday evening to get some writing done. I couldn’t seem to find my way to my laptop at home. I sat at my desk. Nothing. I took my laptop downstairs and placed it on my table in my kitchen nook. Nothing. I sat on my couch. Nothing. I somehow seemed to find lots of other things I could do with my time other than work on my novel. I have given myself a dead line to finish my Novel and I must meet it that time. I just know that writing this story is what I should be doing.

Writing! It’s all I can think about and do. I walk around with a note book because when an idea rushes in I need to be prepared. This happens all day and night. Shhhh don’t tell anyone but, I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with an idea. If you are wondering; yes the note book sleeps with me on my bed. I know it’s a bit disturbing. I also take my note book everywhere I go. Some would say that I am in the “gathering stage” of my writing but I don’t think that’s it. I don’t think that’s it at all. I am in the writing my novel stage.  I don’t feel that gathering is it because when you are gathering you are researching so you can piece it together and then start writing. Not me. I write as the ideas come in. If I write an idea in the note book it is incorporated immediately into the story.

As I mentioned earlier it was hard to sit and write at home therefore, I came to Starbucks. The place was pretty full but my favorite table was empty. It was a sign that I was supposed to be here. The table is the third one against the wall on your right as you enter the establishment. It is perfect. There is a electrical socket under the table which is very convenient for me. I put my laptop bag on the chair and head to order my drink. As I approach the ordering area I look up and I begin to wonder. What should I drink today. I look at the menu and I think what drink, from this elaborate menu , will pull some writing flow out of me today. It’s amazing how much has been done with coffee. What happened to the simple days? Coffee, cream and sugar $1.50 please. Gone! I do love the menu. It is impressively deliciously overwhelming and I truly don’t mind having all those choices. You could never get bored and besides they also have Tea. The cool Barista looks at me and asks the million dollar question, “What can I get you?” I just looked at him and he automatically knew I was not sure what I wanted. If he could have read my mind he would have been just as confused as I am because I was think, I want this but not that. Exactly! Hello! Okay that narrows it down. So, I told him that I am a Caramel Macchiato fan. Hot or Cold! It is always good. I never had to mess around with it by adding sugar or milk. It was just right all around. I also told him I was a big fan of the Chai Latte and in an instant he asked, “Are you sitting inside or outside?” I told him I was going to be inside and he said well then get the Chai Tea Latte. He looked at me as if he knew I needed this for my writing. A creamy Chi Latte. I asked if he can make it with Soy Milk and he said yes. He added, “I can put it in a “Fancy Mug” for you so you can take a picture and post it on your facebook if you like?” I smiled. Oh yeah thought. I agreed and he hooked me up! He told me that because I was using the “Fancy Mug” I would get $.10 off the cost. That works for me. I paid for my Chai Latte and he went off to make me my drink. He took his time. He put care into making my drink. I know this because it was the best Soy Chai Latte that I had ever had. The sweetness was exactly how I like it. Not to sweet. Not to bland. The blend between the tea and the milk was perfect. The soy milk was creamy with a perfected froth. It was as if he stepped outside and hand picked the fluffiest cloud, pulled it down from heaven and carefully placed it over the top of my Chai Latte. Oh and the heat? The heat warmed your soul like when you read your favorite passage from the Bible. So I say “Yes” to “Barista Josh” that was able to read my mind, borrow a piece of heaven and give me the best Chai Latte in a Fancy Mug. It was amazingly delicious! Starbucks, great customer service and amazing Chai Latte in a Fancy Mug helped my Novel grow today. Thank you!

4 of #52essays2017