Coffee at the hardware store

When was the last time you had a coffee at Home Depot? Yeah, I know there are coffee shops in the grocery stores and elsewhere in the US. But a hardware store? Last week I went to help a friend, Bruno, with a small job in his kitchen. He wanted to change the gas hose on their stove- a pretty simple task, right? The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes. Yet I spent a couple of hours with him on Sat. because of friendship and the French culture. I arrived at his apartment, we got the hose and went to the hardware store to buy the replacement. That took all of 20 minutes. We weren't finished yet. Since there happened to be a coffee shop in the hardware store, and since we were there, and since it is France, well ... pour quoi pas - why not? as the French say! So, half an hour later we're on our way back to his apartment to do our 30 min. job. We installed the gas hose- easy enough with a quick check of the spray tester to verify no leaks. (Come to find out, that was his main concern and the reason he wanted me there- to be sure it was done correctly! When did I become the expert?) Of course, with conversation and sharing we've spent more than an hour on our small task. But, in reality I didn't go there to change a gas hose, I went to find out how he was doing in his journey of grief since his 18 year old son was killed in an accident just over a year ago. That ultimately brings us to late morning, and, well,… why not finish the morning with a cup of coffee! He'll put on the pot and it won't take but a minute. Oh, if you insist! I do! OK!
So... two cups and two and a half hours later I'm on my way home. I thought about all the times we share around a cup of coffee, or whatever your favorite beverage happens to be. At Christmas when we took goodies around to the neighbors, we managed to do it in about three hours because in delivering 8 plates of cookies, two folks invited us in for un petit café, a small cup of coffee. It took only a few minutes to walk the neighborhood, but quite a bit more time to visit with a warm cup of java. And of course, there is more connection with those neighbors than the ones with whom we visit over the fence.
Next time you drink a cup, pray for all the folks with whom we have a chance to share or encourage or just listen!