A COFFEE CUP MEMORY…

DID YOU EVER STOP TO THINK
that a coffee cup could remind you of a wonderful experience? A beautiful cup giving you by a beautiful lady?

It has for me. And yet, the lady I’m speaking of I met only twice (or so.) It’s been so long I don’t even remember how many times we saw each other. This encounter was over forty-five years ago; before owning our first home, before getting a dog, before children…  So it’s been a while.

And yet, I remember Nancy. In fact, I will never forget her. I was working at a job I found boring and lonely. It was at the University of Minnesota: I was an office worker. Looking back, I had a cute little office but no one to go to lunch with, no one to make a lasting friendship with.

The job was good. The perks were wonderful! But enjoying my life and the career I had chosen for that time was more important than these. Still are.

Selah.

Nancy was the young woman who came to replace me. She and I were different in some ways: I wore makeup; she wore none. She looked forward eagerly to a job where she knew she would be alone most often. We instantly liked each other! Perhaps it was because I was so very happy to leave and Nancy was equally happy to come! There was not jealousy, no ungodly competitiveness, no feelings of superiority…

I trained for maybe a few days: again, I cannot remember the specifics. Nancy was sweet! I remember she even invited Duane and me to come see her home! It was one of those older, large and lovely homes! I was impressed! We both probably should have stayed in touch. Neither one of us attempted.

But, Nancy did give me a gift! I told you she was sweet. I think she did this because I was a good teacher and wanted her to love her job! (The one I was going to was more my desire!) I was going to be a secretary / receptionist: and I just knew I would love it! I did!

The gift Nancy gave me, as you have already surmised, was a coffee cup! And it was darling! Absolutely darling! It was a medium beige color and it had cats all around it! (I believe, again I can’t remember that we had talked about loving cats! Easy to do!) The cats, when you looked closely, looked like dollar signs. It was such a sweet gift!

I had that coffee cup for years, and years! Finally, it broke accidentally or it just wore out.

Here’s the wonderful reflection on that coffee cup: every time I used that cup or saw it, I thought of Nancy. Yes, I thought of how nice she was, how happy she was to be hired, and thoughtful and sweet she was to me, and how we wished (and meant it!) each other well.

I do love Nancy!

LESSON: giving a thoughtful gift in sincerity (many are not!) can make someone ever remember you! And for those of us who truly love God and man, pray for them.

NOTE: if you’re not sure they are alive, tell God that: for you never are to pray for the dead. And in this case, pray for their families!  It’s great!

P.S. I also have a Garfield porcelain Christmas ornament Kathy (another beautiful lady!) gave me way back in 1981 or so! Same love story here!

ANOTHER NOTE: love is not just romantic. It is not just family. The love God wants us to have is love for Him and for yourself and for others! In that order. Only those who love God, themselves, and mankind are truly lovely, at peace, and safe in the Savior’s hands!

Selah!