PLEASE LORD, HELP ME ENDURE!

What I would like to write about has absolutely nothing to do with running, walking, swimming, biking or exercise in general.  Instead, it has everything to do with logic and perhaps endurance of a different sort.  Not the type of endurance an athlete needs to complete a marathon or a century bike ride, or maybe an extended distance swim in rough seas.    

The endurance I’m going to talk about is more challenging, more defined, and downright necessary.

I’ve never looked at myself as being naïve.  Far from it!  On a scale from 1 to 10, my awareness level would be around a 9.  I’m pretty much aware of my surroundings, local trends, even newsworthy happenings.   It may be factual that I don’t get out as much as I used to, but I’m far from being a recluse.

After thoroughly enjoying a day with my beautiful wife in Walt Disney World Orlando during an impromptu one day get-a-way, we had an occasion to stop at one of the turnpike’s notorious rest stops while driving home.  Tired and somewhat sleepy, my thinking was that if I had a hot cup of coffee then driving home safely without falling asleep at the wheel was basically guaranteed.  Just the mechanics of drinking the coffee was enough to keep my mind sharp and my eyes wide open.

I was thrilled to see that there was no line at the rest stop’s Dunkin Donuts.  Waiting in lines I detest, a dislike that was generated when serving my country as a sailor in the US Navy.

Noticing the many types of coffee listed on the large menu above and behind the counter, Café Lait, Café Breva, Café Latte, Café Macchiato, and Cappuccino, to name a few, I clearly put in an order for one medium-sized regular coffee.  The young lady nodded, gave me an affirmation smile, and then commenced to pour my coffee into one of Dunkin’s popular Styrofoam cups. 

No line, great service, and the exchange of money and coffee went well.  Life was good – so I thought.

Upon taking off the Styrofoam cup’s lid just before climbing into my truck, I noticed cream and more than likely sugar in my regular coffee.  “Damn,” I thought.  “How in the world can someone mess up an order for regular coffee?”

Cautiously walking back inside the rest stop with my wife by my side, I presented my creamed coffee to the young lady that prepared my coffee and explained to her that I ordered a regular coffee, not coffee with cream and sugar. 

You won’t believe her response!

According to her, and confirmed by another nearby server/employee, when someone orders a regular coffee, the servers have been instructed to automatically add cream and sugar.

(I’m thinking increased incidence of diabetes)

Okay, I admit to not frequenting Dunkin Donuts shops or coffee shops in general.  We prefer to buy our coffee grounds at the grocery store and then drip or perk our own coffee – costs being the main reason.

Perplexed and shocked at her reply, I then asked her if I were to order a cup of water would all Dunkin Donuts employees add something to my water?  Her reply was a resounding "No."  “Why then,” I asked, “would you add sugar and cream to a regular coffee unless the customer specifically asked for something to be added?”

“That just the way we do it,” was her shrug-of-the-shoulder reply. 

I’m now going back to the before-mentioned logic and endurance.  I ask God every day to help me endure the illogical stupidity of the human race.  At times, more often than I would prefer, I don’t believe He answers that prayer.  I’m quite sure He has more important matters at hand.  But darn...

In conclusion, if I ever stop again at a Dunkin Donuts shop along Florida’s turnpike, or anywhere for that matter, I will eagerly specify one medium-sized regular coffee – BLACK.

The pleasant young lady did exchange the creamed and sugared coffee for a hot cup of black coffee, and she did it with a smile. 

God love her, and God help us all.
Enjoy your coffee!