#11: Tea Kettles and Iced-Coffees

I had two thoughts as I read the piece below… First to reference our friend Irwin Kula at the Crosby Retreat: “Who do you want to wander with as you go through life?” which reminds me, itself, of Maya Angalou’s quote: “They won’t remember what you said or what you did but how they felt when they were in your presence.” How can I bring magic to the people I love? And second… I so so admire Amanda’s awareness of what was going on with her in the story below… in my daily morning time I always write down the word “awareness” as a starting point in any progression I aim to generate.

…Pip

Tea Kettles and Iced-Coffees

Last week my best friend at college, Maureen, gave me a call and said with spontaneity in her voice, “What’s up? Wanna go to Micanopy and visit some antique shops?” 

Hmm… 

There were a lot of things on my to do list. I’ve been to Micanopy many times before because I’ve interned in that small town. And, well… I really don’t like antique shops very much. The old gadgets, toys, and appliances make me reminisce and miss people I’ve lost—my Grandma, my Dad, relatives I’ve never met. I’ve never even met some of the people that cross my mind and I get upset. And that’s my point. Depressing. Antique shops are dreary places for me. 

“Sure! Let’s go.” 

Despite my lack of eagerness, we entered each antique shop. Every single one. I glanced at the rusty delicate tea kettles, the dusty now flimsy copy of 1926 Winnie the Pooh, the silverware which I swear came from my Grandmother’s kitchen drawer… but while looking around at these things, all I did was smile and laugh the whole time. 

Maureen pointed out the beauty in the intricate art that lined the handle of that tea kettle, and she whipped out that torn-up copy of Winnie the Pooh so fast the rickety bookshelf shook, and she picked up the silver butter knife and said she would buy the set for her mother…then eventually steal it back for herself.  

We talked to the owners of each shop. They shared their stories… Their artwork…The garden out back where they were growing tall orchids.

There was no wave of gloominess. There wasn't even a tiny drop of sadness.

There was life and love all around. There was passion and there was beauty. 

With Maureen, all these treasures stuck right out. I had a really wonderful time that day. I loved every shop. I loved every unreadable book. 

Afterwards, with a few shopping bags in our hands and a little dust in our noses, we stopped in the local coffee shop for some iced-coffees and peanut butter brownies.  

Perhaps it is not what we’re doing or where we are that matters, but who we are with.

Although okay, I really do love teenie coffee shops and peanut butter brownies. 

Amanda Posa:amandaposaj@gmail.com 

I am currently in my third year at the University of Florida. I am studying Education and Sustainability Studies as I have a deep passion for both teaching children and for caring for the environment. I seek work, people, and environments that align with my core values of empathy, compassion, and conscientiousness. My biggest joy is when I can be of sincere help to someone or something that needs me. Whether that means putting in great efforts to go green, supporting the earth and its resources, or opening my ears to listen and arms to hug someone who needs support, I always find my motivation when I see betterment due in part by my actions.