Thank You, Kind Mini-Mart Coffee Lady

Awoke in a state of extreme anxiety the other morning. When I feel like this, a good cure is a long drive. Brushed my teeth, threw on my jeans and a sweater and hopped into a the truck. After about 20 minutes on the highway, I realized I hadn't fortified myself with coffee. Where can I get a good cup, FAST? Local gas station and mini mart chain, Sheetz, might fill the bill.

This chain is so revered in Pennsylvania, they even have a downtown store - sans gas pumps, People seek out mini-mart food and line up for the offerings. Breakfast omelettes inside of a tortilla, burgers with all of the fixings, milk shakes and COFFEE. 6 or 7 big carafes lined up next to the grill. I stared blankly at my choices. Breakfast Blend, Brazilian, Sumatra, and (disgusting) flavored types. Witnessing my confused state, an employee took pity on me. Seemed to me she should have retired years ago, but after the first greeting, it was clear she loved her job. "What are you looking for, hon?" I NEED COFFEE! And then, she took a few minutes to explain them all to me, from highest caffeine level, to lowest. Then she asked me if I was just passing through (since I was the rare customer unfamiliar with the vast selection). I told her I had arrived from New Mexico and was thinking about moving to the area.

And then her face lit up. "You ARE? Well, hope you find a place you love!" It seemed to fill her with delight. A declaration that she lived in a desirable place and I wanted to join her community. See, I've been feeling so defeated these past couple of months. Doubting my own worth at every turn. In her eyes I saw a motherly love I never viewed in my own mom. Not a shred of disappointment or disgust. Only hope and love.

Buoyed by her simple words and smile, I chose the Sumatra blend and a gluten-free Kind breakfast cookie package and took my self on a drive around the area. I didn't find a home, but I found a shred f hope. And, sometimes that is what one needs most.