2007, The Year of the Conversation

She got up from the table of the restaurant and went to the restroom. I slinked over to her almost empty tea cup and checked the quote on the back of the tea tag. I felt slightly mischievous doing it, like I was checking the brand of her jacket or something judgemental and insincere. But I craved the last drop of wisdom and guidance that I knew that Celestial Seasonings tea bag tag held.

The tag read, “No man is an island, entire of itself...”-John Donne

I took it as poignant at that moment, because I wanted to, because I had not been outside all day and also because I was with a friend who I had not spoken to in months.

What 2006 has taught me, in its silence and reflection and empty lab and ignored phone calls and incessant anonymous blogging is that everyone needs people. Even me.

When my friend got back from the restroom, I showed her the quote because I wanted her to see it and because I wanted to clear myself of any guilt. She read it.

Two nights later, on New Years day, I was eating with Joe and his brother, we were having a wonderful and uncharacteristically civilized dinner together. Laughing and sharing food and all trying to start out on the right foot in 2007.

They only had chamomile or peppermint. Ugh, I thought. But I ordered the chamomile because I needed something decaffeinated. It arrived. I checked the tag immediately, “No man is an island, entire of itself...”-John Donne

And what could be taken away from that is that either Celestial Seasonings needs to get more quotes for their tea tags or I am drinking too much tea, but instead a blush of goosebumps tickled over me.

And so, for those of you who know me, I hope to speak to you soon, really.

Happy New Year.