The Gift Goes On
By Belinda
At the end of September I wrote about a breakfast date at Canada's best breakfast restaurant: Cora’s; with my young musician friend; Luisa.. The post was entitled Go to the Instrument, and in it, among other things, I described our comedy of errors in getting together--me missing my exit from the highway and getting delayed by construction as I tried to backtrack to the restaurant--and Luisa sleeping in.
In the process of all of the mix ups--before we actually did connect and have a wonderful four hour visit together, I had breakfast alone thinking that Luisa was not coming. Eating alone in a restaurant was something I had never done before and I found it unexpectedly wonderful; sitting with a book, some delicious oatmeal, and a coffee cup that was filled every time I emptied it. I wrote that God had given me a gift I hadn't expected that morning, the gift of solitude--and later I also got the gift I was looking forward to--a visit with Luisa.
Earlier that month that I had gone to a different Cora’s for breakfast with my friend Irene, and as we were paying for our meal I had noticed at the cash register, a silent auction fund raiser for the family of Constable Garrett Styles a local young police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty in July. The winner of the silent auction would get a Cora's VIP card. I noticed that the bids put in were rather low. Turning to Irene I said with a smile, "I'm going to ramp the bidding up to another level," and I put in a bid that I felt was more in keeping with the cause. I had no idea what a VIP card was, but hoped that others would take up the challenge and build on my bid.
I forgot all about it until one day last week, when I arrived home from work and found a message on our phone saying that I was the winner of the silent auction and could I come in any time and pay for my "VIP card." No one else had topped the bid I hadn't really expected to win, but I didn't mind at all. My heart went out to the young police officer's family.
When I got to the restaurant, I had to ask, "What is a VIP card? What exactly did I win?"
The restaurant manager handed me a card the size of a business card, and on the back there were twelve yellow stars. He explained that it entitled me to a breakfast at Cora's every month for twelve months.
It didn't take long to realize that the card was a gift from God. Because of the card I have "permission" to take time alone once a month for a year, free from distraction. I will choose something from my reading/study pile and revel in the sheer luxury of solitude.
And how like God to show me the gift that he already knew I was getting; through the breakfast mix up with Luisa.
So like God; the giver of the best gifts..
At the end of September I wrote about a breakfast date at Canada's best breakfast restaurant: Cora’s; with my young musician friend; Luisa.. The post was entitled Go to the Instrument, and in it, among other things, I described our comedy of errors in getting together--me missing my exit from the highway and getting delayed by construction as I tried to backtrack to the restaurant--and Luisa sleeping in.
In the process of all of the mix ups--before we actually did connect and have a wonderful four hour visit together, I had breakfast alone thinking that Luisa was not coming. Eating alone in a restaurant was something I had never done before and I found it unexpectedly wonderful; sitting with a book, some delicious oatmeal, and a coffee cup that was filled every time I emptied it. I wrote that God had given me a gift I hadn't expected that morning, the gift of solitude--and later I also got the gift I was looking forward to--a visit with Luisa.
Earlier that month that I had gone to a different Cora’s for breakfast with my friend Irene, and as we were paying for our meal I had noticed at the cash register, a silent auction fund raiser for the family of Constable Garrett Styles a local young police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty in July. The winner of the silent auction would get a Cora's VIP card. I noticed that the bids put in were rather low. Turning to Irene I said with a smile, "I'm going to ramp the bidding up to another level," and I put in a bid that I felt was more in keeping with the cause. I had no idea what a VIP card was, but hoped that others would take up the challenge and build on my bid.
I forgot all about it until one day last week, when I arrived home from work and found a message on our phone saying that I was the winner of the silent auction and could I come in any time and pay for my "VIP card." No one else had topped the bid I hadn't really expected to win, but I didn't mind at all. My heart went out to the young police officer's family.
When I got to the restaurant, I had to ask, "What is a VIP card? What exactly did I win?"
The restaurant manager handed me a card the size of a business card, and on the back there were twelve yellow stars. He explained that it entitled me to a breakfast at Cora's every month for twelve months.
It didn't take long to realize that the card was a gift from God. Because of the card I have "permission" to take time alone once a month for a year, free from distraction. I will choose something from my reading/study pile and revel in the sheer luxury of solitude.
And how like God to show me the gift that he already knew I was getting; through the breakfast mix up with Luisa.
So like God; the giver of the best gifts..
Comments
My hubby and I go out for breakfast every Saturday morning about 8 am. Probably twice a month we arrange to meet with friends. Best of all worlds, time with friends, no house to clean up, no dishes to wash, and a whole day to do whatever needs to be done because by 10:00 we are all on our way. Everyone is fresh in the morning and there is a whole week to share with others.
And, you are right, Cora's is a great place to go.
Thank you for celebrating the gift with me!
Your breakfasts sound wonderful! We all work so hard--it is a treat to be waited upon!