Looking In

This morning I am sitting at the bar outside Argonaut. Looking over the river, while I sip my morning americano I can see Wedge Mountain and Icicle Ridge. I get to do this because Noah and our new employee Hannah are running the shop. As I sit here, all the faces of our local regulars stop by. It is refreshing to be on this side of things, on the outside, able to have conversation with all these people without the barrier of the door. It’s talk about the day: what are you up to, what are you doing to keep cool, how’s school, what are you working on? This is the conversation of life and I am happy that Argonaut brings us together to know the details.

When I was a kid, I thought I was going to go into the medical profession. I wanted to help people, be a part of their healing. When I was a little older, I thought I was going to be a counselor. The one who someone brought their problems to, be a part of their understanding and soul searching. Now, I look in at Argonaut and realize in a small way, this is how I have mended my passions. Everyday, I get to hear your stories, your pain, your joys, you share your life with us and we are an ear to hear.

When I was a young one, just graduated from college in Seattle, I started work at a little cakery called Simply Desserts in Fremont. I’ve talked about this place in an earlier post, you may remember. This is a place that taught me so much about who I am and what I want in life; I am so grateful for that experience. It is interesting how a little shop can do something like that. All we did was make cakes for people but looking back at that time it was so much more than that. It was talks about music and the arts and literature. It was discussion of the newest movies and restaurants opening. It was learning how to serve others, putting the customer first. It shaped me.

Now Argonaut gets to be that place. As I look in, hearing Noah guide Hannah on how to pull excellent shots on our La Marzocco I think about how these are the moments that guide who we will be in the future. It is small, seemingly insignificant, but they still shape. Now, I am on the other side. I wonder how teaching will shape Noah and I. How can I bring a little of Simply Desserts to Leavenworth? I hope we can affect lives the way Phil and Stacy did mine.

As I look in, I am grateful for my past and I am grateful for now. I get to serve people, I get to hear about their lives. I have the opportunity to guide others in the ways of coffee, to provide them with a quality product I believe in. I get to share life with customers and with new employees. These are the things that make life good.

As I look in, my heart is full.


-Lindsey