Coffee… A Symbol of Support

Memories are triggered by so many things, but my sense of smell (while somewhat schizophrenic) is a strong trigger for me.

Growing up I hated the smell of coffee. I immediately attributed it to being trapped in the car on a road trip with my parents! I use the word trapped intentionally, because to my young self, that’s how it felt. Not that being with my parents was a bad thing, it was being stuck with the smell of coffee that was so bad.

As I got older, I became a coffee drinker and have come to look forward to my one cup of coffee, even the smell.

Since we’ve been home from the hospital, I’ve gotten used to waking up early in the morning to the smell of coffee wafting up the stairs. To feeling like I was part of an old Folgers commercial.

Coffee is now the smell I associate with my father-in-law, Ron. Ron has always been an early riser. He wakes every day, puts on a pot of coffee, and sips it all morning long. While at our house, it was his quiet time. His time to call Gloria and check in with her. His time to sit on the porch and reflect.

This morning that smell was missing, because Ron is headed home. Home to a wife who gave selflessly allowing him to be our anchor for two months. Home to friends who missed him at the VFW or the pub. Home to his niece and nephew who missed him at their competitions and tournaments.

We have been surrounded by people who have stopped their lives for us. People who made time nearly every day for a month to visit us at the hospital. People who gave of their time to make us meals, help with projects and put on events. My own parents who kept a vigil with us at the hospital every single day, complete with cups of coffee. People who gave up weeks of vacation time so they could spend a week with us while their spouses parented alone, supporting us from afar.

We know that these people have not truly left us. They all call, check in, invite us out, etc. Like the smell of coffee, we know that it will linger, but these people have lives too. We are forever grateful for the continued support and love. But above all, we promise to always have a pot of coffee ready when you wan to stop by and visit 🙂