by Kathy Trower

Created on: January 22, 2011

I am a coffee fanatic.  I have not always been in that genre, but became one at the age of 21.

I could take or leave it, when it came to coffee, until the year I spent in the Phillippine Islands.  I was on assignment and worked for the United States Air Force at Clark Air Force Base, P.I.  I was a secretary in an office with 35 other people.

Coffee breaks came about, and I did not venture to the large cafeteria.  I did not drink coffee, and the milk was not real.  I did not like milk either, nor soda.  Why should I go for coffee, when I did not want anything to drink.

After about a week of my non compliance with the coffee break, a manager of the other personnel, asked to speak to me privately. He told me that the others thought that I was stuck up because I would not go on coffee break with them. (They were all Filipino Nationals.)

I re-thought my coffee break attitude, and joined them.  I took the coffee, and did as they did. One half cup of sugar and cream was added to the dark brew. Yipes, that was bad. They all watched me to see if I was drinking the coffee.  In those days. there was no decaf. 

I got up once and added water to the strong brew, unbeknown to my table mates. 

After about a week, I cut the sugar altogether.  I added only milk and coffee was becoming bearable. 

As the years progressed, I found out that I really liked that dark brew.  When decaf came about, I had to change to it, Doctor's orders. I learned to drink it and like it, too.  The coffee lattes came about, and I learned to drink them, also. 

Today I cannot pass up a coffee shop.  I have gift cards to coffee shops, given by my friends, because they know that I am a fanatic when it comes to good coffee. I know the places where the coffee is fresh.

 Amazingly, I think when I get to heaven, St. Peter might  have some coffee and cookies ready for me. I don't care what flavor, just so it is a good cup, not decaf. I think that all of my coffee buddies will be waiting for me.

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