Almost Heaven

Dad could not get home early enough on Thanksgiving Eve. I waited in great anticipation for his car to drive up, for him to change clothes and for the family to climb into the station wagon heading for West Virginia. We were off to Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house for Thanksgiving.

When we got there Jane, Jerry, Chuck and Doug were usually already there. We unloaded the car settled in and it was almost heaven. Everyone had their room assignments and we sat in the living room catching up on life. We eventually retired to our quarters for a great nights sleep in the quietness of Wayside, West Virginia, Almost heaven.

We slept upstairs (Chuck, Doug and Me) which was great because Paw Paw kept the house so hot with the wood burning stove the temperature was closer to hell than heaven. At least upstairs was cooler during the night. If only we could experience the comfort of that heat again.

Chuck always got up before the sun and got ready by flashlight for a day of hunting. Doug and I, we slept in until we could smell sausage cooking. What an alarm to wake up to--sausage in the frying pan. We ate and then we headed for the woods for a couple hours of deer hunting. Adolescents with high powered rifles and shot guns, by themselves in the woods. Unbelievable, I know. It's West Virginia, guns are a part of life.

We never killed anything that I remember but it was fun being in the woods in hopes to get a shot off.

We would come in when they called for us. It was time for Thanksgiving Dinner. To this day I don't know how all of us sat around the same table in the kitchen. When I sit at that table today, I remember all of us gathering around that table eating: Canned green beans, canned pickled beets, Frozen sweet corn not from the store but from a summer of Oscar and Hazel spending time in the garden. And Maw Maw and Jane spending time canning and freezing.

One year Paw Paw had killed a turkey and we had that for Thanksgiving Dinner. Along with mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, gravy, homemade rolls and did I mention gravy. We laughed and had fellowship around a meal together. We never really talked about it but I believe we were all thankful that God had brought us together for another year, Almost Heaven.

After dinner there was the pie. Wow! I do not know where my grandmother found the time. Doug and I would cut a pumpkin pie in half and we shared a pie together. No whipped cream--it didn't need it--this was heaven.

I woke up this morning thinking about this day. Today I am thankful for the family I grew up with and I am thankful for the family I have to spend the day with now.

But if there was one experience I could relive it would be that day--in that house-- in that place--Wayside, West Virginia--with all those people--Almost Heaven!

I am Thankful to have had that expereince.

Where's Phil Today?

In a selfish world it is so nice to go and hang out at the Starbucks on Howe Rd. I had read about the community that is built in a Starbucks but this is amazing. The Baristas are getting to know what I order and are starting to call me by name. But it is deeper than just the workers, it is the people who come in on a regular basis. The regulars are starting to call each other by name and introducing each other to new friends they meet.

Every time Roland drives up people stop what they are doing to serve him. Someone always gets up and opens a door for him. He goes to the counter gets the same donut, same cup of coffee and sits down. The Baristas bring his donut and coffee out to him and sometimes the locals hand him the jumble to do from the newspaper. I don't know how old Roland is because I was always taught it is rude to ask someone there age.
When he leaves he leaves his dishes and someone cleans them up for him. He drives from the middle of Akron to be here about 20 minutes away. You know why? He says that he comes because of the people. He is just looking for community in the middle of a lonely day.

(side note) Hey Starbucks, I know you don't do commercials on T.V. and you don't have to, but this is a story that needs to be documented by your company.

Then there is the age old question I hear every time I am here and he isn't. Not Roland but Phil. Phil is in sales, he actually goes to Northwest and Starbucks is his office. When he is in town he is here working and making an impact on this small community. He knows everybody.

All the Barista's know him by name. He knows the local policemen who come in and they always stop to talk to him. He knows Roland of course and is the primary jumble provider. He holds the door open for people who have their hands full. He knows the retired couple that comes in regularly. He has introduced me to so many people I get confused with the names.

I have to say, this place is not the same without him. He is missed when he is not here.

Oh, I did not reveal the age old question yet did I?

"Where's Phil today?"

Just this morning I heard this question from a guy I have yet to meet, but Phil has and he has made an impact in this man's life.

The dynamic of Starbucks on Howe Rd. has a great atmosphere and one of the reasons is Phil. That is why I like Phil greeting people at Northwest when they come through the door.

A selfless servant who truly loves people and he makes a difference. To those who have a local hangout, you can make a difference if you walk in to serve rather than to be served.

Hey Church!!! This is what we need to be when ever we gather-- a community of people who have two things in common: 1) They love Jesus and want to be like Him 2) They love people and want to intorduce them to their friends, including Jesus.

May we all have a place where people miss us when we are not there!