31 - Situational Happiness

On rare occasions, 

I have more than one trainee in the shop.

 Sometimes even three or four. 

All trying to learn the craft.

Usually young,

still full of hope and dreams. 

Talking about opening their own café someday. 

Their light is so bright, 

it’s almost blinding. 

Big, untainted smiles.

They take turns on the machine. 

While I teach two, 

the others chat joyfully,

laughing about how fun it is to train, 

to touch the machine, 

to make coffee for happy customers.

And in those moments, 

although brief, 

I feel joy. 

It reminds me of what I used to be. 

What I wanted to be.

It’s like I’m in a bubble,

surrounded by happiness, 

away from the burdens of life. 

For a few hours, 

I forget how things really are.

It’s situational happiness. 

Real, 

but temporary.

And when the bubble bursts, 

reality returns to haunt me. 

I wish the feeling would last. 

But it’s a joy only allowed to me within the confines of work.

Going back to reality after that is never easy. 

But I do what I have to do.

The trainees wave goodbye, 

say it was lots of fun. 

I wave back. 

Turn around. 

And put the mask back on.