Cup Half Full

This morning I walked into Starbucks as I do every morning with excitement for my spirited red Christmas decorated coffee cup. The cup has ornaments and sayings of hope and spirit that somehow make me smile while thanking the barista behind the bar who has an extra twinkle in his eye with his candy-cane red apron on. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, I know that Christmas is just around the corner when I eye the stacks of red behind the counter. I want to break out into "Jingle Bells" right then and there. This morning though I was a bit dissapointed as I stepped up to order my Americano and there sat the somewhat perturbed barista with just a plain white cup in hand, trying to manage the 25 people behind me who waited impatiently. I sighed and tried to smile while reaching for my drink. He looked up and must have saw something sad in my eyes because his face lit up in a grin. "They'll be back next year," he said. "Don't worry. Have a wonderful day until then." He was right. Red cups are merely a state of mind and I will get just as excited next year when they come back. For now, the white is minimally chic and just as joyful.