If you are friends with me on Facebook, then you’ll know that the reason I didn’t blog last week was because we had dear friends visiting us. You’ll also have seen daily posts of something called, “the drink of the day”. Those postings are a tradition for our friends, Liz and Greg, when they travel, not just to St. Croix and with Karl and me, but wherever they go and sometimes when they are home and enjoying friends.
Liz and Greg and Karl and I have been friends for thirty-three years. That’s a long time to share ups and downs, births and deaths, laughs and tears. They love the Lord, they are generous and compassionate and quick to see the bright side. Liz has shared recipes and cooking tips with Karl, a shoulder and wise advice with me. Greg never hesitated to come help Karl put on our new roof, and he was patient trying to teach me how to play the guitar. They are precious to us in so many ways, and we all are better and richer people as a result of our friendship.
So what does this have to do with “the drink of the day”? I’ve learned many things from our friends, but maybe the most important one stems from the drink of the day. On the surface, this tradition seems to be the celebration of libation. But don’t be fooled. The truth is, the drink has very little to do with alcohol. No, the real value and meaning in the ritual is the mindful and intentional celebration of ‘this moment’. It took me a while to recognize this, but it’s true. The gentle clink of two glasses and the snap of a camera shutter don’t work together to glorify the liquid at hand, instead they make us stop and consider and then have a chance to remember later, a wonderful moment spent together. Life is fragile, and we have no guarantees. I hope that Liz and Greg have hundreds more drinks of the day and that a great many of those are shared with Karl and me, but it would be contrary to the spirit of the drink of the day to worry about it. Instead, I will look for the blessings that each day offer – in a smile, or a sunset, or a new challenge, or even in a glass of rum and I will drink in the day.
