Medium With One Cream Buddy!

"Medium with one cream buddy". That was the order, twice daily. Said with a gallant greeting of some sort, surely one to make you smile. Along with it came a ritual, twice daily which consisted of a bunch of friends sharing stories of good times, not so good times, laughs and silent moments when all were sipping. Heading through the drive through, you could see HIM; always clad in a hat, sitting in the middle of everyone, gathered around two tables, coffee in hand, conversation in full throttle. A wave of his hand and big smile couldn't be missed through the window. He never missed a day, no matter what his schedule looked like - because he had his own schedule - and followed it. The Queen herself could not interfere with this...admirable and a lesson to be learned for those who turn their lives upside down to meet other's demands. Now if the Queen herself could not interfere with his schedule, what could? Cancer, chemo.....diagnosed with colorectal cancer he began regular treatments - now bringing his "big as life" smile and sense of humour to an otherwise solemn chemo room. His positivity was contagious...loads of laughter filled the room while injections ran their course. Somehow it seemed less scary this way and it was reminiscent of another daily gathering, the one he was missing at Tims. He seemed to make an impact wherever he went...nurses and patients alike, looked forward to him arriving for his treatment....and coffees were shared there as well. Although sporadic, he still made it to the local Tim Horton's each morning and evening, while friends admired his courage and strength. They could see his physical stature changing, a once burley man appeared now frail and unsteady on his feet at times, but stop him you couldnt - positivity goes a long way...and it can buy a lot of coffees... Then the inevitable - he didn't arrive one morning. Everyone knew he must be in severe pain...as his schedule was now interrupted - for good. You see, what they didn't know was that the day prior he returned from the morning Tim's coffee, and in a saddened tone, said "Thats it buddy, I'm done. I cant go anymore". I'll never forget the look in Dad's eyes as he lowered himself on "his" chair in the kitchen. I knew he meant more than the daily trips to Tim's. I knew in my heart, what I didn't' want to admit out loud - he was dying. Dying to live, but dying....And now he admitted it to himself. His positive attitude could not carry him any further. He did his best to fight cancer and lived his best life through the course of it all. I learned a lot from my Dad during that time, a lot about what true courage is, and making the best of every day. And how important it is to tell people how much you love and appreciate them. It's true, people live differently when they know they are dying and relationships change, for the better. There's a lesson in everything really, if you choose to see it. So the next time you see a bunch of people who frequent a local Tim Hortons and who perhaps are holding up the line, think about this story and others like it....as "every cup really does tell a story". And Im sure if there's if there's a Tim Horton's in heaven, a bigger than life voice will always be heard... "Medium with one cream buddy"... This story is dedicated to my Dad, Wesley Kendall, who passed away June 2, 2007. I miss you Dad. Love Paula