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Coffee And... Caffe Seit
by Louise Bergmann DuMont (Louise's bio)
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"Luisa. Caffe Seit!" There are times I can still hear my mother calling me despite the 800 plus miles between us. If only I could oblige her!
Although "Caffe Seit" means "coffee time" in my native German tongue, this afternoon breather consists of so much more than simply drinking coffee. Sweets are usually served along with the coffee. Rich whipped cream tortes, fruit laden tarts and melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies were only a few of the possible offerings if company was visiting. I can tell you that my mom seldom had to call me twice. Along with my love for coffee, I tend to have a real weakness for desserts.
The daily Caffe Seit became a thing of the past when my family came to the United Sates. The time-honored German custom of leisurely breaking for coffee each afternoon was set aside for the American version of grabbing a quick cup and returning to work... except on Sunday. Then my mom tuned out the world, put on the coffeepot and brought out the home baked goods. There is something about coffee served with cake or cookies. They fit together like rosy cheeks on a young child. The slight bite of this beverage is the perfect match for the sweet, creaminess of cheesecake or the crisp snap of a thin wafer cookie. As a child, this wonderful blend of coffee and sweets was not lost on me. Caffe Seit was one of my favorite events. As I grew older and my insight grew, I realized that the confectioneries and the tasty beverage were only a small part of the pleasure. The purpose of coffee time was to stop your work in order to delight in life's pleasures.
Germans are known for putting their shoulder to the wheel. I was raised to believe jobs should be done to the best of your ability. There was no shame in work done well and no job was beneath a good worker. After a week of labor, the pleasure of coffee served in a china cup with family and friends in pleasant conversation was a treat in and of itself.
But the most important part of coffee time was that we were required to take this break. We took it off with no guilt and no hesitation. This was time to be savored. The work would wait for us and when we returned to it, it would be with renewed vigor. During coffee time we would sit, laugh, rest and enjoy God's bounty.
There is a lot to be learned from this practice. The world of the 21st century tells us we need to rush around twenty-four seven, but God calls us to take a break. At coffee time we sip our coffee, a staple in German homes, and we are reminded that God supplies our everyday needs. We nibble our special treats and realize that he also supplies special blessings that we did not ask for. We laugh with our family and friends and want to thank Him not only for our life, but the lives of those who share a relationship with us. I'm grateful that my mother taught me to work hard but I'm also glad she reminded me to take a break with The One who provides me with the ability to do so.
"For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.."
Exodus 20:11
**This column is dedicated to my lovely mother, Irmgard Bergmann. Happy Mother's Day Mom!**
Copyright 2002, Louise Bergmann DuMont. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Louise Bergmann DuMont: Louise Bergmann DuMont is the facilitator of the North Jersey Christian Writer's Group and a recent winner of CWG's 2001 conference scholarship. She has written for numerous local periodicals, journals and newspapers and recently began expanding her horizons to include more widely circulated publications. Louise's interests include gifted/learning-disabled children and fiction/fantasy writing. She is married and has three sons. E-mail Louise |
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