The novel Theo of Golden describes an independent coffee shop in a small southern town.
Today we’re both working on our laptops in a comparable version. It’s tucked away in the foothills of the Sierras along the South Fork of the American River. There’s even local art for sale displayed on the walls.
You’re doing “real work” and I’m looking up car maintenance tips for your CRV. And writing. It’s a happy time for us both.
As a young man I explored places like this in California. These explorations were an excuse to drive my latest car project, an maybe take along a friend. But for some reason, today feels different than what I recall on previous excursions. I’m trying to put my finger on what’s different.
One thing might be that I don’t have an agenda. I’m not trying to make an impression or test a new suspension setting. It’s a freedom.
As a young man I tried so hard to know what was important. I polled everyone except the person who’s opinion really mattered – mine. A rookie mistake.
It might be easier to list the things that aren‘t important rather than those that are. Unimportant things can be described in broad strokes that cover a lot of territory. Things like: I don’t care about meeting the standards of others. I have confidence in my own.
There are so many things I want to learn about you. I hope I never stop learning. Today I learned we both enjoy the same sort of coffee shop. Tomorrow I’ll learn something new.
We’ve begun to ponder a future together. I can only hope its filled with days like today.