The Power of A Morning Cup of Coffee
By: Gabrielle Warren
Tags: Memories, Coffee, Meditation

The Power of A Morning Cup of Coffee

When I think of coffee, I think of my grandpa. There are many mornings when I am in my kitchen fixing myself a cup of coffee that I wish he could join me. I want to sit on the porch with him and have long conversations about life and the pursuit of happiness. I want to relay to him my hopes and dreams. I want to ask him what he thinks about things.

My relationship with coffee began with him. Whenever he came to visit, we would find our way to the mall. I would be there to receive a new Barbie, and he would be there to pick up a Tim Hortons breakfast. We would walk around the mall for a long time and talk. I do not remember our conversations, but I remember the joy in my heart. I remember the ritual of it all. I remember the smell of Tim Horton’s coffee, Timbits, and sweet tobacco. I remember the jangles in grandpa’s pocket as he reached for the coins to pay for his morning meal. As we sat down in the food court overlooking the highway, we sat and laughed about nothing in particular. He would speak to me about the places he had traveled and the people he had met.

I wish I remembered those conversations. I wish I were old enough to ask him what it was like to serve in Korea or go to Nova Scotia or grow up in Detroit. I wish I could speak to him about politics. I wish I were knowledgeable enough to understand the nuances of his advice. Many mornings while I sip my coffee, I think of this.

My journey with coffee drinking began when I went away to a French camp for one month in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winnipeg has a bustling coffee culture. With its small-town feel and significant town access, I was able to sample different types of beverages and blends to my heart’s content. I tried every kind of Americano and began understanding the differences between coffee growing regions. My dream of sitting in cafés and doing anything started there. I would sit on the patio with my iced Americano and think of who I was and who I wanted to be. I thought about how it felt to be away from my parents for such a long time. I felt a freedom that I had never experienced before.

Coffee is a type of freedom for me. It is a portal to good things. Whether it is a pleasant day, more productivity, or a sense of comfort — the taste of that caffeinated beverage allows me to be present wherever I am. It made me realize why my grandpa — despite nagging from everyone in the house — would get up so early to drink a cup. I imagined that the simple task of walking to get a cup of coffee in the early morning was a type of meditation for him. As I woke up early in the morning to order a Flat White from the café around the corner from my dorm, I thought of him once again.

A couple of years ago, I began brewing my coffee for environmental and economic reasons. With it being a habit, I didn’t see the point of wasting cups and money when I could create an excellent cup on my own. Starting with a French Press, I would grind the beans elsewhere and brew the coffee at home. Once I began to understand the taste difference, I bought a grinder. Then again, while watching the Korean drama When The Weather Is Fine — I was inspired to buy myself a pour-over set. Not only was When The Weather is Fine a beautiful drama, but it was a love letter to coffee drinkers. The warm colors, cozy outfits, and relaxing soundtrack created a world where coffee and companionship could flourish. It felt like Starbucks did in 2006 when they only played Jazz, sold marble cake, and had quotes on their coffee cups.

Today, coffee is a ritual. The act of brewing coffee in the mornings or creating a batch of cold brew is relaxing for me. Now with my own grinder, I enjoy taking the time to research local coffee roasters. Like the other hobbies I have acquired over the years, it is a lifestyle that makes the small things in life that much more colorful.

As I continue to refine my morning rituals daily, my grandfather is always in the back of my mind — cheering me on and encouraging me. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t teary-eyed as I penned this, but I hope that it will allow you to think of the present comforts rooted in past joys. As this wild year comes to a close and the holiday season is shaping up to be a little different than before let us all find time for quiet contemplation and joy — hopefully, over a cup of coffee.

Always caffeinated,

G.