Dreamer #3:
Jerod from Los Angeles, California
February 1st - 15th

Nobody can escape the times in our lives when tragedy comes our way. Where do we go with our troubles? Our fears? Our thirst for relational satisfaction? And what can unite people together in a such a common way so as to remedy our thirst for relationship (as well as for drink)? Community and coffee.

Recently I was graced with twenty-five dollars and the freedom to spend this money on whatever I could imagine. It definitely spent itself on the unimaginable.

Without expectation, sorrow swept over me and those around as well. Suffering is a rather interesting aspect of humanity. It's equally as delicate too. Often when we find a friend dealing with tragedy, our reaction is to "right the wrong" because usually we feel bad. Instead, an attitude of empathy is encouraged. And a common thing to relate to another person about is coffee. Taking a friend out for coffee has been one of the best ways for me personally to help someone in suffering, giving them space and room to share their thoughts and feelings or to even keep their mind off of their suffering for a time. And if not coffee, tea usually does the trick better than a real spoonful of medicine.

Recently in the last several weeks, I have been unable to avoid depression as a result of suffering, either in my own life or in the lives of those around me. And though I am not the type to avoid the reality of suffering, coffee and community helps where psychiatric and clinic help cannot (not to mention it's cheaper).

Starbucks is always a nice retreat, including the Barnes & Noble cafes, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is always a divine decision, and even an on-campus coffee excursion is wonderfully convenient at times, but for those of you local to Orange County have three excellent coffee hotspots in Downtown Fullerton. One particularly wonderful place I found myself at constantly (even to this day and future days) is a place called the Night Owl, located on the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Amerige St. in Fullerton, CA.

The Night Owl

$25 spent on great coffee, great people, and great talks. And nothing is more wonderful, more inspirational, more unique and transforming than those we love surrounding us in times of trial and hardship. And coffee is always a lovely treat as well.