Why I'm not ashamed to need coffee....

I like coffee.  I even love it a little bit.  Making coffee is a morning ritual that I enjoy and look forward to.  Pouring fresh, hot coffee into a mug when the house is quiet and adding flavored creamer (usually hazelnut, but lately coconut) and inhaling the steam as I sip, is a meditation.  A prayer to the gods of sunrise.

Last Wednesday, I ran out of coffee.  Even the instant coffee in single serving packets that I sometimes take camping.  Normally this would not have been a problem.  Normally, I would have steeped tea for a change and headed to the store later in the day to buy more.  Normally, it wouldn't have caused me to disintegrate into a puddle of tears and regret.  But it wasn't a normal day (normal being relative, of course).

Wednesday, August 13, 2014
8:21am     I receive a phone call from a pregnant woman in labor.  She will need me soon.

Thursday, August 14, 2014
9:38am     More than 24 hours later, the baby is born.  I go home, there is still no coffee.  Going to the store is not an option.  Going anywhere is not an option.  The rest of the day is a blur.  I think I made dinner?  

Friday, August 15, 2014
7:15am    There is still no coffee.  I vaguely remember taking somebody somewhere, probably one of my children, but I am too weary to stop at the store.  I have a headache. My teeth hurt. Maybe I'm getting a sinus infection.  The rest of the day is a blur.  I think one of the kids made dinner?

Saturday, August 16, 2014
9:22am    Because yesterday is a blur, there is still no coffee.  I slam doors and break dishes while pretending to clean the house.  I am achy and feel feverish.  I definitely have a sinus infection.  And I may be developing a bladder infection on top of that.  Was anyone home for dinner?

Sunday, August 17, 2014
10:31am  This morning, I rally.  There is still no coffee.  I settle for a Coke on a picnic and paddle adventure to Causey Reservoir with the family.  I am useless by afternoon.  By evening I am a a hot mess.  On top of probable sinus and bladder infections, I think I may be getting the flu and a case of major depression.  Everything is sad, all problems are unsolvable, the world is a hopeless place.

Monday, August 18, 2014
9:46am     I go to the grocery store.  There is a Star Bucks.  The world is a glorious place.  My sinuses and bladder are healed.  All flu symptoms are gone.  I am teaching math to my 9 year old as I calculate my coupon discounts while simultaneously testing produce freshness and googling potential volunteer opportunities in my community.  I am sure I can be the greatest motivational speaker to any and all who will listen.  But right now, the grocery shopping.  First on my list:  coffee, then creamer.