A Mug to Hold the Liquid Heaven

Little Bean Knows What I Like

Another milestone this week, a coffee mug. The vessel by which the precious java is held is an often overlooked and underappreciated aspect of the coffee drinking experience.

After a round of neighborhood yard sales with my wife, Little Bean found and bought me a coffee mug. She left it on the table for me when I got home.

As soon as I walked in the door, from her room across the house, “Daddy, do you see the mug!?”

“I do!” I yell back.

“It’s for your coffee! I got it for you!”

Now, I’ve been racking my brain about this because I think it’s the first mug that she actually picked out and bought me. Look, I’m a middle aged dad, getting mugs as gifts (or socks) is pretty much a given. I’ve received mugs from my wife, obviously. But also my sister, nephews, co-workers, friends, the list goes on. Normal life.

I had a wonderful mug from my trip to India, but it broke. I have one I really like that shows the painting, Nighthawks, by Edward Hopper, but the diner they are in is a Starbucks! Fun! I also have a really old one from when I was a kid of the Buffalo Sabres that I used to drink milk out of. Obviously, I drink coffee out of that now.

But I think, I think, this is her first to me.

It’s brown, almost shaggy. Ceramic I’m guessing. A little smaller than a normal sized mug, more for a decent sized double shot of espresso perhaps.

I’m a simple man and the fact that she thought of me - and also my love of coffee - made me feel connected a little. I’ve felt lately like she’s been pulling away some. Actually, that’s not the right way to describe it. More like - end of school year, lots happening, we’ve all been busy. I don’t know, normal stuff as she gets older.

I guess I just liked the reminder that we’re close. That we’re still bonded. Even if it’s just about coffee.

So, I put it right into the dish washer and this morning I used it for the first time. Not bad. It retains the heat. Decent size. Easy to hold. She did good. Sometimes, it’s the little things, you know?

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Tomorrow, Chapter Six of “Where There’s Smoke” will drop! We hope you’ve been enjoying this hiking memoir so far, with a new chapter coming out each Wednesday. Can you guess what Fire Tower we’re hiking to tomorrow based on this picture?