When Drinkware Speaks

The missus grabs me and holds me tight. Her hands are cold as she places me under the shower of hot, brown liquid, with the aroma of peace and calmness. The warmth of the shower fills my insides. I watch my missus as she inhales the satisfying odor. Again the missus wraps her hands around me and raises me to her lips. She slurps the smooth drink and lets out a deep sigh while reading my message to herself, “It’s all good.”

Hi, I’m Blue. No, I am not sad. I am literally the color blue. I am a blue mug with the letters M&M on my belly. My missus reaches for me often. I share my cupboard with dozens of other mugs and each of us has a message to help our missus remember how to live.

After getting her cup of coffee, the missus retreats to her chair where she becomes a Dog Mom and the mister becomes the Dog Dad to their four-legged babies. The mister likes to turn on the news first thing, but the missus reminds him, “I’d Rather Be Watching Friends.” My missus and the mister are excellent humans. I can only assume this is because they go to

The Jesus House regularly. My couple will always Trust In The Lord. It is how they navigate life in a world that is rapidly changing. They find peace in The Jesus House.

I went with them to The Jesus House one time. On this day, they stayed after the service for a fellowship potluck lunch. After blessing the food I heard someone say,

“Bon Appetit.” I have heard lots about church lady food and that they are some of the best cooks around. Me, I’m Just Here For The Chocolate, cake that is.

I love watching and admiring my missus and mister’s relationship. It reminds me that Happiness Blooms From Within. He says the sweetest things to her like, “I’m Hooked On You.” He is also known to bring her a mug that reminds her that There’s A Chance This Is Wine.

Sometimes after a hard day at school, the missus needs that wine. She will reach in the evening cupboard for the perfect glass. She will put herself in a Teacher Timeout and do some Back Porch Sittin’. When she reaches for a glass she tells the mister,

“I Work Harder Than An Ugly Stripper,” or “It's Five O’Clock Somewhere.” When Friday rolls around she’s yelling, “Sip Sip Hooray!”

April is the missus’ birthday month. She’s Not A Day Over Fabulous and when she gets dressed up to celebrate she feels Classy, Sassy, And A Little Badassy. She will get calls or texts from her kids saying, “Love You Mom.” Her kids are great about letting her know she is the greatest mom. They celebrate her in May with messages that say Happy Mother’s Day. Some call her a Mama Bear because she is so fierce when it comes to her family. She has been known to tell people, “You Can Just Supercalifuckilistic Kissmyassadocious.” It’s usually at this point during a celebration that she is asking the bartender for More Awesome Please.

When the missus has time away from school, she and the mister like to travel. For example, I was purchased in New York at the M&M store. I Love New York. In the winter, the city is Merry and Bright and you can find Farm Fresh Trees to put up for Christmas. When the missus and mister are looking for a slower paced break they visit the mountains in

Red River, New Mexico. The mister was Born to Fish and the missus loves getting lost in the woods. Not All Who Wander Are Lost though. Sometimes the missus is just looking to rest and reset her mind. One favorite summer destination is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival at Disney. The beauty of the grounds is breathtaking and my couple spend their time eating and drinking their way “around the world.”

My missus is middle aged and ready to retire, but she is nowhere near ready to hear her kids say “Shady Pines, Ma.” Though she does look forward to telling stories to the grandkids, none of them will start with “Picture It, Sicily, 1922.” She might tell stories that end with, “My Beauty Has Always Been a Curse.” But since she has never been to Minnesota they certainly won’t start with “Back in Saint Olaf.” Minnesota is certainly on the bucket list of places to visit in the future.

There are times in the missus’ life where no subtle messages from the cupboard are necessary. Sometimes all that is needed is the artistic reminder of how beautiful life really is. The frog on her mug at school reminds her to Fully Rely On God. The prickly pear on her turquoise mug lets her know that there will be times in life when she has to walk through the thorns, but if she keeps going, she will eventually make her way down a clear path. Her chicken mug helps her to remember to continue to nurture her students at school, even when she wants to quit. The hummingbird on the wine glass tells her to relax and enjoy being in God’s beautiful presence. The cow mug reminds her that even during drought, God will provide.

The latest addition to the cupboard is a tea mug with beautiful lavender plants and bees on it. Lavender is the missus' favorite scent. It soothes her soul and calms her mind. The bees are gentle reminders that hard work and perseverance can result in a sweet life. The missus is grateful for her life. She is grateful for her mister who supports and uplifts her when she doubts herself. As this workweek comes to an end, if I had to guess, I believe my missus will come home from work and use that new tea mug to steep a nice cup of apple empanada tea. I can smell the sweet fruit and cinnamon now. She will then snuggle up in her chair with her fur baby of ten years and open her latest book in search of inspiration. She is seeking her creative voice in hopes of opening new doors as an empty-nester. And I will be right there to always remind her that It’s All Good.