RURAL REFLECTIONS: A caramel macchiato, please

A caramel macchiato, please.

That’s all I wanted. Just a caramel macchiato. Yep, a caramel macchiato.

Every time we leave the house we are open to new people, new ideas, new adventures. Driving in the car, I find everything interesting from the types of cars to the teenagers rocking out to loud music. My favorites are the dogs washing their faces in the wind that passes by the moving car. Such a variety of sights and scenery. What’s not to like?

It feels good to hand out compliments where you can sense someone could use one. Or, my favorite, start a conversation with someone while standing in line. Saying thanks to people who earn so little and work so hard just to make ends meet. A store is the corner of the world during the time you are there. Opportunities abound and someone’s day can be changed if you pay attention.

Observation. What a joy to be part of the experiences that daily surround us. We are never too old. We are still and always hope for the future.

We race through life set in our ways not realizing that change and expansion of one’s knowledge is what life is about. We never stop growing mentally. With change comes enlightenment, empathy, compassion, gifts for the soul. If we are indeed one world family, then we should get to know one another. So realize that if you are in a waiting room or line and you are next to me, I probably will smile and say “hi.” Perhaps we will chit-chat a bit. And, sometimes we become friends. Sometimes “hi” is as far as it gets, but life is grand. Let’s live it.

I’m a weird duck. And, I’m a Drake (funny how that works). I just wanted a caramel macchiato. In front of me a young man and his son were waiting to order. It began with “hi.” A little talk about coffee, kids and “what do you do?” I asked.

The man along with his brother are house painters. Our house is in need of a coat of paint. Hm. This sounds like a win-win. We continued talking. The painters are brothers and twins. Hm. Another connection. We exchanged information with a hope that this has been not just a chance meeting but meant to be. Yes, life is grand.

“I’ll have a caramel macchiato, please.”