At the beginning of the year, I committed to having 52 “Brave Conversations Over Coffee” - one per week, all year. As the owner of the coffee company who’s reason for existence is steeped in legacy, forming a tradition of our own to accompany our beloved vintage, Italian-made coffee pot and line of coffee, said to be “the smoothest ever”, seemed like an integral part of what we put into the world.
“Brave Conversations Over Coffee” is an initiative designed to use coffee as a means to create change in the world. [More about the initiative here]. Not surprisingly, it’s roots stem back to my childhood. With our Unimatic in the middle of the table perking and keeping our coffee piping hot, we’d linger for hours together, talking, asking questions, telling stories, coming up with ideas and businesses, and for me, learning who I was and who I could be. After first losing Dad, then having to rebuild our family home after Hurricane Sandy and starting this company, I was constantly asked where I got the confidence to keep moving forward the way that I did after so many things that felt “safe” to me were gone. It was when I realized that I’d become the woman I am, the woman who was able to find the strength and grace to keep moving forward because of what happened all those mornings over Unimatic coffee…
A couple of months ago, one of our Brave Conversation questions was “what is the most important thing that you can give to another person?” The overwhelming answer was “presence” - not help, not answers or advice, not things, not even love. Simply presence. The intention to give our full and undivided attention is actually the most vulnerable thing that we can do and is actually what allows others to be brave.
As we begin thinking about how to honor the person who is arguably the most important human in our life (the human who GAVE us life), what better gift to give her than exactly that - presence. I know my Mom appreciates when there are no phones dinging, work calling, A.D.D. kicking in. Often times Moms are giving so much that they don’t take the time to get present with themselves and give themselves time to recharge. We’ve heard the most heart warming stories about families honoring Moms with a Unimatic. One in particular comes to mind…
I received a note from Randy, the amazing Dad and husband of the family of Unimatic #498, who now lives in Virginia. He said, “I have recently returned from yet another deployment and would very much like to surprise my wife with a Unimatic. She has sacrificed time and time again in support of my career and caring for our four kiddos while I spend months and years away from the family. My wife and I always begin our days with a cup of coffee together and I would like to enhance, and create greater lasting memories and conversations, with this new addition.” Fast forward to his note after surprising her, “upon opening the box she immediately saw your notes, looked at me with a quizzical look, and kept investigating. Immediately upon moving your notes she saw your logo and gasped the most excited gasp I have heard in a long time. The tears started flowing and it truly was a lasting memory I will hold onto forever.”
Whether it’s with something meaningful that she’s able to unwrap and use daily, or with a special experience that you create and bring your full presence to, we hope you do whatever it takes to honor your Mom, grandmother or whatever maternal presence you’ve had/have in your life this Mother’s Day.
