On Monday and Wednesday mornings, I bring my son to school in South Salem where he will be from 9:15-12:15.  After dropping him off, I head to the closest Starbucks with my laptop where I work until it’s time to pick Zac up.

I once heard the manager here tell some new employees that she’d like people to think “Home. Work. Starbucks.”  She was clear with them that customers should feel comfortable enough here that they want to spend the day.  It’s a policy that works well enough that a little group of us are here so often we’ve become quite familiar with each other.

One of the regulars has gotten my attention today.  Because he’s here so frequently, I know that this middle aged man is the father of a teen-age girl and unmarried.  He’s currently unemployed and started to get sober in AA in October.  He’s here on Monday mornings with a sponsor or other AA friend, generally killing time.  He presents as someone relatively unable to find his way into mainstream culture.  He talks too loudly often speaking the kinds of things one might keep to himself.  He sits in many different seats over the course of a morning, borrows other people’s newspapers and relies on his friends to buy him coffee and breakfast.  They seem to take turns sitting with him, giving him money and offering their time and attention so he can get through the day without drinking.

Today, though, an interesting thing has happened.  Rather than being the one in need, he’s helping one of his caretakers through what seems to be some very complicated mathematical formulas.  It turns out, this man has a particularly sharp mind and in return for these months of companionship, he’s ready to give something back.

And it wasn’t just to his friend that he has demonstrated his new ability to see outside himself.  I’ve been sitting across from him today as I do many days in this crowded store.  An email came in that created an emotional reaction in me and tears welled up in my eyes.  As he was talking to his friend about something I really can’t understand, he handed me a tissue and offered a smile.

In a world in which so many people feel alone, in which so many feel overwhelmed by the system or powerless to change their circumstances, this man and his circle of friends have demonstrated the power of simple kindness and selfless generosity.  They have revealed a potent truth: Together, we are strong.  Together, we can inspire and sustain transformation.

I’m considering buying them all a cup of coffee.