The Epitome of a Café

Over the past couple years the coffee shop has become a new social hub subject to people of all walks of life yearning for a fresh cup of brewed coffee or a bone dry cappuccino. The studious twenty something, the stay at home mothers’ weekly book club meeting, the businessman on the go, all congregate in this small store front known as the coffee shop.

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Throughout my time working at Starbucks, I have witnessed many people come and go. I have seen friendships begin and relationships end. I have seen people fall in love and people cry.  As I stand behind my bar and look out into my lobby at the faces of each of my customers, a sense of accomplishment rushes over me, knowing that the minute I took to create their beverage has brought people together into community that may have never been imaginable before.

Tonight as compared to other nights really got me thinking about what this place called “Café” has come to mean in the lives of so many people throughout the entire world. Tonight I witnessed something really special, something I have seen countless times but never really fathomed how special it was. Society has put strict restrictions as to whom you are able to converse with. This is usually with people in the same social class as you, same religion, same political affiliation and the like. Tonight I saw a widow and her son speaking with a cultured retired couple, with a Sergeant in the Police Department talking with a drunken homeless man in conversation with an elderly deaf woman. People from all walks of life have the opportunity to grow on a deeper level and exchange life experiences others may never dream of. It was beautiful because it embodied what is truly real about the human connection.

It is encouraging to know that somewhere out there in a world where image takes precedence over the individual, social class is more important than social interaction, there is a place where people can come to meet, leave the outside world behind and truly be yourself. The coffee shop is a place to be inspired, connect, grow and truly embody the human sprit. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to aid in this revolution of acceptance, one cup at a time.

Thank you: Wanda, Ruth, Chris, Mike, Perry, Steve, and Susan

Day 20

Nov 20th : Day 20

Today I will be thankful that I didn't have the MOST expensive speeding ticket at the courthouse... only the second most.... $220 OUCH! Learned my lesson there! That's a whole week of work right there!

So today was fun.... I decided I didn't want to pay for parking downtown, so I parked in a church parking lot that is free (for members) and there is a sign that says violators will be towed.. well how would they know if I was a violator? So just in case, I put my bible on the passenger seat so they knew I was a christian. The church parking lot is a bit aways from the courthouse, so I thought it would be good to get some exercise in. So I walk.. eh... lets say 7 blocks to the courthouse and go through security and find the room that says "Traffic Court", I go and ask if this is where I need to be, They look at my ticket.... I'M IN THE WRONG BUILDING!!! The building I NEED to be in is, you guessed it... right. next. to. the. church. So by this time I am LATE! I hustle over the the MUNICIPAL courthouse go through THEIR security, find my room and go to check in. She asked my name, I say "Matthew Gerdin, G-E-R-D-I-N. she responds "I don't see your name on here." I hang her my ticket, she says "Today is the 20th.... Your court date is the 21."

What a day! Luckily it wasn't a problem and they were able to do it today instead. WOW!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! I am thankful that my life produces fun stories like that, but also thankful that it doesn't happen... too often.

Thanks for reading.
-M

Day 19 of Thankfulness

November 19 : Day 19

So every morning I take the shuttle from the bottom of the hill up to campus, doing this saved me approximately $250 in a parking pass. The only downside is that I have wake up a little earlier each day (which is very hard to do sometimes). Anyways, it is 8:45 am, the bus is dead because the regular college student is a zombie until at least 9:15 (sometimes later). So on a relatively quiet bus, when one person is talking you can't help but overhear and eavesdrop. So this morning was really cool, because I overheard this guy call one of his friends. From what I could hear, it sounded like he had awaken his friend, to LITERALLY ask him "Do you know where you are going when you die?" WOAH! This guy a few rows behind me was so convicted by the Holy Spirit on the bus this morning that he couldn't wait to witness to a friend! The conversation continued about how Jesus loves him SO much and how much He wants to be in this friends life. Now that is evangelism. We have been talking about evangelising at CRU. for a couple weeks now, and how scary and overwhelming it can be. But this guy on the bus didn't care how scary it was, He had good news and wanted to share it! Ahh I am so thankful for that little moment I was able to encounter this morning at 8:50 on my 15 minute bus ride to school.

Day 18 Thankfulness

November 18th : Day 18

Today I am thankful that the day is almost over... It was a long one. Had a rough day at work. For some reason my back was hurting, spilled a venti drink ALL OVER THE PLACE, wasn't getting the orders right. Thank you Laura for letting me leave early, even if it was only 5 minutes. That was a blessing. Get home and have to do Jazz homework and Calculus. I am thankful for calculus, even if it is kicking my butt. I like math because there is always a right answer. So besides all of that, I am thankful to be sitting in my bed about to go to sleep (after I finish my homework of course) to start another day to be thankful of.

Thankful Day 17

AHHH SHOOT! I missed two days!

This is a lot harder than I thought.

Today, however, I am thankful for my mother!! She helped me fix my bed that was WAY TO HIGH (literally 8 in. from the ceiling -- Thanks Nicole) back to normal size, closer to the ground. THEN, she did all my dishes for me!! What a blessing that was! I have a clean kitchen, a normal bed, and working on cleaning my house... ok ok... room for my party next week!! SO THANKS MOM! YOU ARE THE GREATEST!

Thankfulness (14)

November 14th : Day 14

Today I am thankful for CLEAN LAUNDRY!! Not going to lie, being a guy, a college student, and living alone... my laundry does not get done very often... to much information? Don't judge me! I have febreeze and most of my clothes smell like coffee because of my job anyways. But I did 4 loads of laundry today.. but that probably should have been done in a few more loads..

Day 13 of Being Thankful!

November 13 : Day 13

Today I am thankful for the winter season. The only time you will here me say I love snow is when I am about to sherd it on the slopes! I got my first season pass to copper mountain and winter park today! I will finally be able to put my snowboard to work!! Can't wait till I finally hit the slopes! Next Wednesday is the big day!! SO PUMPED!

Just a trick that I love to do... no big deal.