OUR MORNING COFFEE RITUAL—SOME OF US WORK, OTHERS NAP
Our Mornings, and the Surprise That Changed Everything
In our house, mornings run like clockwork. I brew my coffee, throw on my worn-out baseball cap, and, right on cue, Milo the cat hops onto my head like it’s his luxury suite.
While the rest of the family dashes around in their usual morning chaos, I sit there—barely awake, mug in hand, and a fluffy feline making biscuits on my scalp.
Without fail, someone walks by and quips, “Dad’s getting his coffee fix, and Milo’s about to clock out.” They’re not wrong.
By the time I’ve made it halfway through my cup, Milo is fast asleep, and I’m heading out the door. Milo, meanwhile, stretches out and heads straight back to his nap like his job is done.
It’s a strange little ritual—quiet, a bit ridiculous, but it’s become my favorite part of the day. It centers me in the best way.
Then came one Tuesday that changed everything. The morning began just like the others—coffee, cap, cat—but a text popped up from an old friend, Derek: “Got a job lead for you—could be worth checking out.”
Curious, I gave him a call. He explained it was a position at a growing tech startup—something in logistics and operations.
The pay was decent, the hours flexible, and while it was outside my usual field, the opportunity felt fresh and promising. My current job felt like a dead end.
Maybe this was the change I didn’t know I needed. “No pressure,” Derek said. “Just mull it over.” I thanked him and said I’d take a look.
The more I read through the job description and company details, the more it seemed to line up with what I was craving—growth, challenge, and the possibility of something better.
That night, I sat down with my wife, Sarah. She listened, thoughtful but encouraging: “It might be exactly what you need. Sometimes you just have to leap.”
That was all the reassurance I needed. The next morning, I said yes to the offer. My first day was set for the following week.
Those first few months were a whirlwind—long hours, steep learning curve, unfamiliar territory. But I pushed through.
Over time, I found my pace. I grew into the role, gained confidence, and started seeing the impact of my work. I felt like I was building something real.
Then, out of the blue, an email from Derek hit my inbox: “Urgent: Company Restructure.” My position was being dissolved.
The shock was real—but I didn’t let panic take over. I called the company directly, wanting clarity. To my surprise, they offered me a new role—heading up a global expansion initiative.
Bigger responsibilities, better pay, and a chance to lead. It was a curveball, but one that ultimately catapulted me forward. That experience taught me something vital: sometimes what feels like a setback is really a door swinging open.
And Milo? He’s still there every morning, curled up like a crown on my head, purring away as if to remind me—cherish the simple moments. Life rarely follows the path you expect, and often, that’s where the real magic happens.
