Welcome to the very first Coffee or Sweet Tea Conversation From My Front Porch — Questions That Make Us Go Hmmm… which is a new series on Greatful Moments where we will ask a question of the day for you to answer and share with your friends and family. You will also find the question on our Social Media site. Some questions seem simple. But sometimes, behind a simple question is a whole story.
So today’s question is: ☕ Are you a coffee person or a sweet tea person?
For me, coffee is not just a drink. Coffee is family. I think back to my mom or Crazy Mimi as Suzzane called her. Every time we would reach Oklahoma, one of the first things she wanted to do was have David drink coffee with her and play Uno. She loved sitting, visiting, and enjoying a cup of coffee not only at home but at her favorite restaurant as well.
She would tell David, “Come on, let’s go to the coffee house.” And they would sit there for hours. And I mean hours. They could talk, drink coffee, and enjoy each other’s company forever. That love of coffee came from her family too. My Uncle David is the same way. You can find him at the Waffle House, sitting and drinking coffee, visiting, and enjoying the moment.
Now, I have to admit… That drives me completely batty sometimes! Because when I finish eating or drinking something, I am ready to pay my ticket and get out of Dodge. Not them. They are perfectly happy staying, talking, and enjoying their coffee time. While visiting with anyone who would talk to them. I guess this is why Suzzane never met a stranger and I haven’t either. What about you?
Then you fast forward to Suzzane. My mom taught her to drink coffee when she was very, very young. Now, before anyone worries — it was mostly cream and sugar — but coffee became something special that she shared with Mimi. It was their thing. Donuts and Coffee more times than I can count.
Unfortunately, my mom did not get the same opportunity to teach Charlie that tradition But Charlie learned it all on his own. Today, Charlie is an iced coffee drinker but he also loves normal coffee as well. And I have to confess… I do not like iced coffee. If I am going to drink coffee, I want it hot. Although I do love hot tea.
My coffee has to be regular coffee, usually with no fancy flavors. And it has to have more cream and sugar than coffee. Sometimes I will use French vanilla creamer because that is what Charlie likes too. But David and Charlie? You can put almost any coffee in front of them, any time of day, 365 days a year, and they are happy. Just give them a cup of coffee.
Me? I’m more of a sweet tea person. But somehow, coffee has become part of our family routine. I’ve gotten up at all hours of the day and night — 5 o’clock in the morning, 2 o’clock in the morning, even midnight — because Charlie has said: “Mom, will you make me coffee?” And of course, I go to the Keurig, put in a pod, and make him a cup.
But here is the funny part… You cannot just make Charlie a cup of coffee. Because Mom has to have a cup too. Even if he is sitting in his room with his door shut drinking his coffee, I have to have my coffee. I have tried not making myself a cup. It doesn’t work. Because eventually Charlie comes into my room and says:
“Where’s your cup? Go get it now.” So you know what? Sometimes it is easier to make the coffee and pick my battles somewhere else. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade those moments. Because someday, it won’t be about the coffee. It will be about the memories because one day one of us might not be here.
So today’s front porch question is:
☕ Are you a coffee person or a sweet tea person?
Do you drink it because you love the taste? Or because it reminds you of someone you love? Grab your favorite drink, pull up a chair, and share your answer. Because sometimes the smallest questions bring back the biggest memories.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates