Past + Present = Future

Yesterday, I went to my favorite coffee shop “Beans and Leaves”.  I love this place.  I always prefer to support local businesses.  With a coffee shop, however, I have felt that I have to make a sacrifice one way or the other.  I either had to support a national chain and get a great latte, or support my local places and get a mediocre drink.  Then a new place opened over by 39^th and Penn.

I went in one evening not expecting a lot.  I ordered their coffee of the day.  As good as that cup of coffee was; my favorite is an iced latte…strong.  They also have a large selection of loose teas packed in your own little bag made especially for you.  When I see someone get this, I want to try it.  I can’t seem to get past my latte for now, though.  They also have handmade pastries, cheesecake…you get the picture.

I have been visiting with the owners about different recipes to add some lunch and dinner items to the menu.  I was there this past Saturday to do just that.  When I walked in, I experienced a strange juxtaposition of my worlds.  Until a few years ago, I was a florist.  It was both some of the best and worst times of my life.  I suffered major burnout and was blessed to find a new career as the scheduler for a company that provides interpreting services for the Deaf.  I love my current job.

I walked into Beans and Leaves to see a young man surrounded by beautiful flowers busily making prom boutonnieres and corsages.  As I looked around the shop, I saw a group of interpreters in the back.  There was a class in session.  It was really a strange sensation for me to see my old world meeting my new world.  In the middle of the shop, an artist was painting the portrait of a young woman.

 

I ordered my drink and waved at my interpreter friends.  I saw Charlie, one of the owners and waved at her as well.  She was very busy, so I sat down with the young man and his flowers.  He explained that this was a school project for him.  Any profit he made making the prom flowers was going to his school, a fine arts academy in our neighborhood.  I asked if I could help him for a time.  He gladly accepted.

It felt really good to have my hands taping and wiring flowers, and teaching someone about the elements of floral design.  He was an eager pupil.  After a bit of time, Charlie came over and sat with us.  I wanted to talk with her about a rice salad I make for my annual Memorial Day Party. 

I call it Confetti Salad.

I start with 6 cups of cooked brown rice.  I add about 2 cups of shredded carrots, 6 or 8 finely chopped ribs of celery, 1 ½ cups of roasted sunflower seeds and 1 bunch of chopped fresh parsley.   I dress it with the juice of a couple of limes and a good ½ cup or so of olive oil.  With the addition of salt and pepper to taste this simple, healthy salad is complete.  I use it as a staple for my party, because I can make it a day or so before and it can set out at room temperature for a few hours.   We were interrupted several times, but finally got the recipe on paper.

A couple of interpreters came over to say hello and I had some wonderful conversation with them.  We talked about advocacy, interpreting and nothing much…just life.  Conversation flowed easily as I put together another boutonniere.  I found it very interesting how all of the parts of my life came together at this moment.  My careers present and past along with my culinary passion intertwined and laced with the laughter of playful interaction.

As the artist was re-creating the likeness of that pretty young woman on his canvas, I feel God had re-created the beauty of my life that afternoon.   I felt as though God had orchestrated this time just for me.  It was like he had used Beans and Leaves as his canvas and these wonderful people as his brush strokes.

As I was leaving for an appointment I had back at my house, I ran into a friend I have known for twenty years.  Sadly, I could not stay for more than a quick chat, but this meeting added to the rich tapestry of the afternoon.

I left Beans and Leaves that day fully satisfied, my belly full of a great latte, my soul full of love and my heart full of gratitude.