WHISKEY FOR BREAKFAST
“Can I get you something to drink to start; coffee? juice?” the animated and bright eyed waitress with the matching uniform like everybody else in the pseudo French restaurant asked.
Sometimes, well, often really, I talk without thinking. The tall brunette waitress happened to be working in the bar area, which I guess makes her the bartender. That area has heavy and dark wood wainscoting with old red brick on the walls above it. It’s the perfect setting I like to contemplate or maybe write if I can steal a few moments in time.
“Uhhhmmmm,” I pondered aloud, looking at her and glancing over her shoulder, “Whiskey – Make it a double – Straight up,” I answered. She looked at me with a question in her friendly and customer service oriented eyes. She was stumped. It was morning and I was ordering alcohol in what’s really a family restaurant.
She smiled kindly, awkward for a few moments until my smile gave it away. “Coffee and water, please,” I said chuckling, probably a little too amused with my pathetic humor.ย She told me later that occasionally folks will order alcohol in the mornings. I shared with her I couldn’t drink whiskey, and it didn’t matter what time of day.
Over the next several months, I’d stop in now and then after physical therapy for my shoulder and sit in my section and read or scribble while waiting for breakfast. Not always, but on occasion I’m a people person. Each person is a story. Sometimes I learn by watching, but more often from talking.
The young lady wasn’t as young as she looked. She has sons; football players in high school. One of them may be headed to play in college. She’s proud, lights up when she talks about her boys. I get that.
“Whiskey this morning, sir?” she asked me on more than a couple of visits.
“You know, I think I’ll just have coffee today,” I answered once. Another time I told her, “No thanks, I’ve already had a fifth for breakfast,” she laughed.
In time, she asked what I was writing, “A book?” with some sarcasm thrown in for good measure. She was surprised when I told her that, in fact, that’s exactly what I was writing. Eventually I told her about this site, told her if she got herself parked in front of a computer to look it up. I didn’t press her, but during one of my frequent fuel-ups she told me, “I really enjoyed your posts!”On another occasion, she told me she read a bunch of the archives and so did her friend.
My site isn’t fancy, but it does point to the Almighty and His sovereignty here on planet earth. Not all of us are called to preach, but all of us are called to ministry in one form or another. We’ve all been gifted one way or the other to share the Truth of our faith.
The waitress or bartender still chuckles about the whiskey comment I made.
She told me lemon for my water and the extra cream for their stout coffee were my “training wheels”.
I laughed and told her that was a good one.
It’s hard to imagine all the treasures we miss in life by not learning the stories of the lives put smack in the middle of ours.
Chuck Allen
Sunday, September 21, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
Ha ha! I’ll pass on the whiskey AND the coffee. ๐ It’s interactions like these that makes life fun, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing, Floyd. I always enjoy your tales.
TC Avey
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 7:47 am
It’s amazing the connections we can make, the friendships we can build and the witness we can have on those around us if we will simply take the time.
Good for you making the most of every opportunity before you.
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 8:06 am
I love making connections. Perhaps that is why I like living in a small town and find myself getting more involved in its goings on.
Micah
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 8:15 am
This made me chuckle. And I couldn’t agree more, there’s nothing more interesting, enjoyable or fascinating than people. It’s a shame when we don’t allow ourselves to recognise the treasure in every person’s life and the value in their story.
I have a friend who’s trying to teach me to develop an appreciation for whisky. And I sort of can, like I like the way that they always seem to have more than one taste. But I can never drink the stuff of my own accord. I’m a pineapple juice or water guy mostly.
Sharon
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 11:13 am
Wonderful, Floyd. This post is precisely why your book is going to be so special. You have such a way of capturing people and places – it puts the reader *right there* with you.
This was also a great reminder that the Lord has us cross paths with any number of people in a day. And, if we take the time, He just might have something for us to do or say in the encounter. It pays to keep our eyes open, our hearts awake, and our schedules loosely-held.
GOD BLESS!
(No whiskey in the morning for me. Maybe, occasionally, an Irish Coffee-flavored cappuccino!!)
Lisa notes
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 11:29 am
How awesome is this story, Floyd! Glad you were able to share God’s love with her just by being yourself and pointing her to your blog. If we’ll just take the time to notice, there’s a lot of people out there unknowingly waiting on us to show up!
Hazel Moon
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 5:12 pm
Great one as always. I know you are posting and commenting less so that you can devote more time to your book. However I am so thankful you post at least once a week to keep us in your loop! Thank you for allowing the sharing of your awesome post with us here at โTell Me a Story.โ http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Gentle Joy
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 5:25 pm
We touch so many lives as we walk through life…. it is good to make an impact for Christ when we do. Thank you for sharing.
Lynn Morrissey
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 5:33 pm
I love that your stories emanate from real life, Floyd, and that you engage people in conversation. It’s when we foster relationships that we “earn” the right to share Christ. No, you don’t have a pulpit, but you have a platform (in the best sense of that word), and I love how you use it. Im so glad she visited and brought her friends. That’s how we form community, and you are stellar at it. Loved this post!
Blessigns,
Lynn
Nancy
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 10:18 pm
Everyone IS a Story! How often we miss that. I am so happy that God has ability to use us wherever we are when we make ourselves vulnerable to those around us! Funny, but that is exactly how my mom, Hazel Moon, came to Blog. At a previous church that she attended, the pastor was only part-time and everything seemed to be run by a certain “elder”. He did not appreciate it when people stood up and gave their testimonies – especially Mom because she “preaches” with power when she shares verbally. Somehow it really bothered him and he told her NOT to share. I told her to take it to a wider audience and the rest is history! Thanks for sharing your story about how you entered into this waitresses’ life!
Bernard
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 @ 6:16 am
Floyd, great story. Your site does not have to be fancy for God to use it to bless people. I can’t tell you how your writing has blessed me.
Pam
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 @ 8:31 am
Stories are all around us, Floyd, and we rarely stop to listen to them. Even among our own family members we don’t ask or tune a deaf ear when they do speak–our minds a 1000 miles away. It is sad, really.
Loved your title on this–certainly had me going there for a minute. LOL! Continue to bless us with your stories, Floyd. Each of us is all the richer for reading them.
Audra Krell
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 @ 1:20 pm
This is what I think would be really cool. A guest post, from HER side of this story! Let me know…..lol
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 @ 1:39 pm
Well, I ain’t ever been a whiskey person… or a coffee person … but did drink some kind of wine and tea and coke. They keep me thinking/moving/doing. And, when I’m writing, I’m munching and crunching and drinking bits and pieces. You made me grin and that’s a good thing, doncha think? Thanks, Bro. I NEEDED to grin today and ya dun it.
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 @ 5:39 pm
Floyd,
Ha! You’re right…some of the best stories are right in front of us if we’re willing to stop and ask a person…sorry to hear about your shoulder but it sounds like you’re making good use of your time writing ๐
Mike
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 @ 7:27 pm
I like making those connections as well. I’m not very good in big groups, but I love getting to know people and learning their story on a one-on-one basis. In groups we often put on a mask, but one-on-one it seems easier for people, including myself to open up. The waitress’ look must have been priceless the first time you asked for the whiskey. ๐
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 @ 12:24 pm
That’s funny. I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face! But I totally agree with you on the connections. They are so important. My life can be so crazy and hectic with so many demands this way and that way. Part of what I’m here on earth and in my job to do though is make connections. A couple weeks ago I felt guilty for “wasting time” sharing my heart and experience with a co-worker and then I thought, “that’s ridiculous. this is so important.” Have to keep the priorities in order! Great reminder, Floyd. Thank you.
Dan Erickson
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 @ 2:14 pm
Great story, Floyd. It’s good to know that people like you and me can actually touch others and make a difference.
Caleb Suko
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 @ 11:08 pm
I’ll have to try that next time I go to a resturant but I’m afraid here that wouldn’t be so out of the ordinary and the waitress would bring me whiskey before I had the chance to let on that I was joking!
How’s your shoulder doing Floyd?
Cynthia
Thursday, September 25, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
Sooo many connections to be made…lives to touch…and, all it takes is a Coke and a smile. Or, should I say a fifth?! Joy!
Dan Black
Thursday, October 2, 2014 @ 8:13 am
I’m going to have to use that line:) Laughter and comedy can early connect people together.
June
Thursday, October 2, 2014 @ 6:03 pm
I envy you your ability to talk to people like this, Floyd. Your blog is a witness for Christ – how awesome that you connected with her that way, and that she and her friend have visited here. His word never returns void. Nicely done! (and yes, I’m catching up on my reading, lol!)