…don't worry, it'll come back sooner or later…
You, standing there
Right by the bus stop.
With umbrella in the rain,
Looks like you’re cold.
Me, from the far
Running against all car,
Ignored all the traffic
Just to stand with you.
“Miss, can I please
Stand along with you,
Under your umbrella?
My coat is wet.”
You, with your smile,
Answered me: “Of course!
The bus is almost here,
It’s coming very soon.”
A little background story:
I was “adopted” by Brent & Katherine Carter, a couple who lived in Milwaukee, OR. Katherine was my high school music teacher, now work as K-6 Music Teacher at a public school in Clackamas area, and Brent is a architect. Because they never have any children, they decided to “adopted” one of my best friend (David Kang) and I as their “children”. They’re basically our “god-parents”.
Time passed by, I became very close with Katherine’s side of the family (Cobbs). I knew them fairly well, played music and hung out with the cousins quite often, and visited my grandparents house every once in awhile. My Grandma, Betty Cobb, was an Elementary School principle, while my Grandpa, John Cobb, was the Director of Choral Music at Eastern Oregon University.
Grandpa John passed away on July 4th, 2006, at the age of 71 (the summer before David and I moved up to PBC, and Alice, our cousin, moved up to Tacoma, WA for Pacific Lutheran University). He died from complications due to pneumonia. He was in ICU for a good 2 or 3 months before he finally left the earth for a better eternal life.
On the memorial service, we sung the old hymn “Simple Gifts”, a 19th century French Shaker song, at the very end of the service: it was beautifully written lyric on a simple, lullaby-like tunes.
Last year’s Thanksgiving, I got to spend the time at my Grandma’s place (Betty) with my god-parents and Uncle John & Aunt Mignonne. We had great Thanksgiving meal prepared by Aunt Mignonne and Grandma, Mom made dessert; boy, it was wonderful! I remembered, right before we prayed for the dinner, we sat around the table and sung the song “Simple Gifts”, in honor of Grandpa.
‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free,
‘Tis a gift to come down where you ought to be,And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.When true simplicity is gain’d,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’dTo turn, turn be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.
We miss you, Grandpa!
Oh..and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things on earth
Will go strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Steal my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time
My time has come
Let me in
Unlock the door
I never felt this way before
And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummer begins to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know which way I’ve come
Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I’ve waited all these years
For you I’d wait ’til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you’ll come and set me free
Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me
In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing
I wouldn’t change a single thing
And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummers begin to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know what I’ve become
For you I’d wait ’til kingdom come
Until my days, my days are done
And say you’ll come and set me free
Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me
Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me
Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me
Be still, my heart
And listen to my words:
Everything will be alright,
Yes, it will be alright
Let the season change,
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
If love meant to stay,
It will stay evermore
Let the day pass by,
Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Midnight
If love meant to dwell,
It will dwell in your soul
Let the coffee turn cold,
and the tea over-brew
If love meant to live,
It will live through eternity
Like a poet with no words to say,
Like a singer with no melody to sing,
If love meant to love,
I choose to love thee
Be still, my heart
And listen to my words:
Everything will be alright,
Yes, it will be alright
A Psalm
When you crossed the line and you just have to slow down
My time is God’s time:
I will wait here patiently,
For He is faithful
My words are God’s words:
My mouth is filled with His songs,
Sacrifice of praise
My actions are His:
His hands are mighty to save,
He has done great things
A Psalm
When you’re not running on God’s strength and you hit the wall
Your grace has found me
Restored by soul
You made me whole
Your love lifted me
When I’m stumble,
I won’t fall down
Your peace surrounds me
You are my light,
My salvation
Here’s a very famous quote:
“Free coffee makes the world goes ’round” – Sarah Thomas
And along with that quote, here are some of my favorite beverages:
Tall Soy Latte – The standard. I often call it my Xerox machine latte (it got that ‘fresh from copy machine’ flavor to it).
Double Short Soy Latte – Jordan’s favorite. It’s pretty much the same thing as my standard, with less soy milk and more caffeine..and a little cheaper.
Jim & Patty’s Mocha Borgia – Special Occasion beverage. Jim & Patty’s is a family-owned coffee shop that serves Stumptown blends. This little café reminded me of Landon Pigg’s song ‘Fall in Love at a Coffee Shop’
Indonesia’s Kopi Singa – Childhood blend. Indonesian’s coffee at its finest quality! All-time favorite, two terrific thumbs up, ’nuff said!
Indonesia’s Aceh Blend – French press favorite. Found this particular blend last summer when I was visiting home. Full of flavor, spices, and it taste like nothin of this world!
Sariwangi’s Jasmine Tea – Another Childhood favorite. My dad would brew this tea for our family at dinnertime. It’s a family tradition, and it smells freaking good!!!
and..last but not least: any coffee would do (as long as it’s not the nasty kind..like Folger’s..gross!)..but hey, after all “free coffee makes the world goes ’round” right?
now let us take our cups..cheers mate!
You’re all smiles and silly conversation
As if this sunny day came just for you
You twist your hair, you smile and turn your eyes away
C’mon tell me what’s right with you
Now it dawns on me probably everybody’s talking
And there’s something here I’m supposed to realize
‘Cause your secret out, and the universe laugh at it’s joke on me
I just caught it in your eyes, it’s a beautiful surprise
When did you fall in love with me?
Was it out of the blue?
‘Cause I swear I never knew it
When did you let your heart run free?
Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love with me?
When did you fall in love?
Make your way over here, sit down by this fool, and let’s rewind
C’mon, let’s go back and replay all our scene
You can point out the hints, the clues, the twist, and the smile this time
All the ones that slipped by me
I bet my face is red, and you can hear my heart poundin’
Well I guess it don’t matter that I realize
‘Cause baby I missed it then, but I can surely see you now
Right there before my eyes
You’re my beautiful surprise
Was it at the coffee shop
Or that morning at the bus stop
When you almost slip, and I caught your hand
Or the time we built the snowman
The day at the beach, sandy and warm
Or the night with the scary thunderstorm
I never saw the sign
Now we’ve got to make up for lost time
And I can tell now by the way that you’re looking at me
I’d better finish this song so my lips will be free
Coffee in the morning
and your sweetest smile
Can blow the mist away
and bring the sun out
Tea at night
and your warmest hug
Can chase the clouds elsewhere
and make way for the moonlight
