The Magical Away is neither magical nor truly away…
Non the less…once a week sanitation magicians come and remove the unwanted remnants of our consumerism… allowing us to persist in the delusion that it no longer exists.
But exist it does…and it grows at a reckless pace…
Some among us, and even abroad, are not afforded the luxury of averting their eyes, or worse, must abide a close proximity and suffer the toxicity of the poison refuse the wealthy are able to heap upon them.
For the sake of humanity, and the planet we must aspire to a world that is natural, sustainable, and recyclable…
Lest the truly magical vanish permanently, and irrevocably into the away.
I purchased some instant coffee today and it took me back…
To watching the kettle boil as you arranged the cups…one for you…and one for me…you set them gently as you spooned in the instant coffee and dry creamer before adding delicately the perfectly boiled water.
The wait was excruciating…
But you would not be rushed. Nor would I dare attempt to hurry you
The anticipation and the quiet meaningful conversation were worth it EVERY time!
Your face when you took the first sip…contented, grateful, soothed…mirrored my own.
Coffee is my one remaining vice…all these years later.
You were always willing to share what little you had…
The one tiny bit of solace that got you through countless days of hardship I’m sure…
I didn’t realize your sacrifice back then…I was young…and self-absorbed…
I didn’t know that the instant coffee and creamer weren’t a choice…that they were in fact the ramifications of extreme poverty that left you unable to afford a coffee maker, filters, and fresh ground coffee to brew…
I did not know then that some days you couldn’t even afford to replace the instant.
Yet still you shared…with me.
Looking back, what I do know is that I was very special to you, and I want you to know that you are/were very special to me too.
You were a nurturing presence in my life when I needed it most
I will always be grateful for YOU and afternoon coffee.