Madison921web

Conversations
over coffee
Melanie McMillan
“Would you be interested in writing an editorial?” read the text
message. Although I’ve written many articles for Hometown
Magazines over the years, editorials were new territory, as I had done
only one. That one, “Random Acts of Kindness,” was so inspiring and
thought-provoking for me that my enthusiastic response was “Yes!
What’s the topic?” The reply came quickly: “September 29th is
National Coffee Day and we thought it would be neat to read about
the conversations and community that happen over a cup of coffee.”
As any good writer/journalist would do, I began my research
enthusiastically - by making a cup of coffee.
Contrary to popular memes, one can live without coffee - though
why anyone would take that chance I’m sure I don’t know. For many,
a morning cup of joe is a non-negotiable part of the daily routine, and
flagging creative juices during an afternoon slump are often brought
back to life by a hot - or iced - brew. There’s just something about it
that sets it apart from other beverages, whether it’s a medium roast
you brew at home, or a cappuccino from your favorite coffee shop.
Even those who have never acquired a taste for it understand that a
friend’s invitation to grab a cup of coffee isn’t at all about the actual
drink. It’s an invitation to catch up, reconnect, and spend unhurried
time in conversation.
14 • SEPTEMBER 2021