Most every town has a coffee shop, whether a local mom and pop store or your local Starbucks. Yet these stores are much more than selling coffee. They are about relationships and communion with one other. Whether with your spouse, friends, siblings or just during a business meeting. They are promoting interactions with each other. Yes, there are some who come to do homework, use their laptop or just relax and listen to music. It is a way to leave the busy schedule of the day and step back for a moment. Yet the solo crowd could have stayed home yet they venture into a shop where people converse and share life moments. Why do they come here? Why do I? Last night I visited my favorite coffee shop in Longmont, Colorado called, La Vita Bella. I feel very close to God during these times when I visit this coffee shop; whether it is the light chimes of bells when you first enter, or the inviting music, or the greeting from the Batista. We all want to belong. This place reminds me of Cheers, the comedy about a bar in Boston where "Everybody knows your name." La Vita Bella has stairs which lead down into the tables. I usually order the Bella Notte; an espresso made with their homemade dark chocolate. It is to die for and every time I thank God for those wonderful flavors every time I take my first sip. Last night the place was busy with several groups. One group was either high school or college students huddled around one table, playing a board game. In today's culture what a wonderful thing to see young adults converse and laugh that doesn't involve alcohol or everyone at the same table engulfed in their smart phone. At another table, sat a group of women conversing, while on the other side a couch was occupied by a guitar player and friends. For some reason, coffee invokes conversation.
These times I am usually alone but I marvel at these interactions going on. In a culture where we are occupied by I phones and laptops, the coffee shop offers a venue where we are called to communion with each other. Many times my wife and I have little "mini dates" where we can get away for a an hour and talk about life, families, and building our own relationship. I would say our marriage is stronger just for the sake of our little "coffee talks"
Last week when I visited La Vita Bella, I had a real conversation with a homeless man, perhaps my first conversation in my life. In the past if I encountered a homeless person, it would a quick exchange of a dollar or maybe an apple, or piece of my unused lunch; yet only a quick acknowledgement of their existence. Yet they are human beings and as I looked into his eyes that evening, and there was real life; yet filled with hurt and pain. We had a talk. He said at one moment, a date which stuck out to him. "February 2nd; before that date I had everything, and then had nothing." He did not elaborate. I noticed a small cross on his hat and asked him if he still believed in God. He said, "If I did not, I would not be here." He did not want a handout, but before I left, I gave him my new Missal for the new church year. He did not refuse. If anything in 2014, I want to be more "out there" in life and not always behind a book or the computer. This was one way to do that.I invite everyone to go their favorite coffee shop and have a real conversation. Not just to buzz through the drive through or sit and talk on your I phone, but have a real talk. Get deep, go beyond the "how are you..." Give it a try and watch how your life improves! Several of our past talks with my wife revolved around reading Matthew Kelly's book, "Seven Levels of Intimacy." Give it a try. Enjoy a cup of joe with somebody you love, or kick up a relationship with that person alone at the next table.
