About Me:

Aloha! I'm Wendy Kennar. I'm the mother of a seven-year-old son and a wife living in Los Angeles. I was a public school teacher for twelve years until a chronic medical condition made it necessary to leave my teaching career.

I've always been described as "quiet" - really, I'm just biting my tongue. I've got lots to say, and lots of thoughts to share, I just prefer to write them. That's the purpose of this blog. Each Wednesday, I post a personal essay offering my observations and thoughts.

A few fun facts about me: I've wanted to be a writer since second grade, when my teacher, Mrs. Jones, made me a "book" with a yellow construction paper cover. I have never learned to whistle, have always preferred sunflowers to roses, and have spent my life living within the same zip code.

Through the years, my writing has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, United Teacher, GreenPrints, L.A. Parent, DivineCaroline.com, RoleReboot.org, XOJane, and Brain, Child Magazine. Additionally, my personal essays have been included in several anthologies, including: The Barefoot Review, Beyond the Diaper Bag, Lessons From My Parents, Write for Light, Being a Grown-Up: A User's Manual for the Real World, Ka-Pow!, How Writing Can Get You Through Tough Times, Breath and Shadow, The Grey Wolfe Storybook, and Sisters Born, Sisters Found.
I am a regular contributor at MomsLA.com, and you can also find me at Goodreads.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Feel free to comment and share my blog with others!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

“Coffee and Friends Make the Perfect Blend"

   I found the sentiment above in a charming calendar I received in the mail from an organization hoping to lure a monetary donation from me.  The statement caught my attention and made me take notice that so many of my relationships do have a connection with coffee.
Foremost, a first date back in 1997.  We ended up at Starbucks because we couldn’t decide on a movie to see.  So we sat and talked and drank cafe mochas with whip cream.  We talked about our college classes, my hot air balloon ride with my dad, and our families.  Out of self-consciousness, I took out my wallet and showed school photos of my younger sister.  This man I enjoyed coffee with became my husband two years later.
I remember taking the subway downtown to visit an exhibition at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles.  I don’t remember the exhibition, but I do remember spending time with my dad, on one of our “Daddy-Daughter Dates.”  And I remember treating him to his first Coffee Bean coffee.
I miss my Tuesday mornings with MB.  That was our time to lesson plan, strategize, and drink Coffee Bean.  MB and I alternated days to treat.  And when finances were tight, we improvised with microwaved hot chocolate or bottles of Starbucks Frappuccinos brought from home.  Our time had a practical purpose - we got our necessary work done.  But it was the conversations and the laughs that meant the most to me.
Both Starbucks and Coffee Bean remain favorite spots to meet friends and share heartfelt conversations.  Many of these conversations resonate long after our drinks have been consumed.  Maybe it’s the intimacy of the establishment, the small tables and chairs pushed close to each other, that requires two people to focus and really listen to what the other is saying. 
Now, as a mother, wife, and teacher, I cherish my limited “Wendy-time.”  Sometimes, this time finds me in a bookstore cafe, savoring a drink and a chocolate chip cookie.  Other times, I find myself in the neighborhood, slowly sipping, enjoying some time to read a novel and write my blog.
The funny part is - I’m not a coffee drinker.  I don’t like “regular coffee;” I drink apple juice with my breakfast each morning.  For me, these drinks are a chocolately treat.  And getting to share these beverages with someone special makes them so much sweeter!


5 comments:

  1. I love having coffee with a friend! It's a nice time to kind of slow down and people-watch. I really enjoy the times we have had coffee dates, too! Which have also evolved to fro-yo dates and so forth. :D I have been wanting to have a little personal reading/writing date at Coffee Bean. I might be making that a reality some time soon. Keep on taking time for yourself, Wendy! I love hearing about it!

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  2. Honey,

    You are an amazing woman and I am so lucky to have found you!

    I love our coffee dates and I really loved our first coffee date at Starbucks!

    I love reading your stories! I am so proud of your writing.

    I Love You!!

    Paul

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  3. I am honored to be in your blog. I miss those days so much that it makes my heart hurt. I miss your laugh and your hugs. Mostly, I miss the times when we didn't have to talk. We could simply sit and think together. You are my best friend and no one will ever compare. Coffee is not the same without you. I can't believe how long it has been. We are WAY over due.. I love you.

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  4. Your writing is truly AMAZING,as everything you write about is so inviting and pulls you right into the place you are describing.I am always glad to hear when you take time for yourself as you are always doing for others and you never seem to have enough WENDY time.I love you and I am very proud of you.
    love,mommy

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  5. Some times, coffee is just an excuse, to meet with someone. Little did I know, when your Mother, invited me for coffee that she was my chosen one. I enjoy your writing.

    Love, Dad

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