What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
A magic lamp with a wish-granting genie is the classic answer, and I understand the appeal. Unlimited wishes sound wonderful. But I have read those stories, and the wishes always come with a catch. You wish for a million bucks, and the next thing you know you are being chased by a horde of rabid squirrels demanding payment in acorns. No, thank you.
So I will pass on the lamp, tempting as it is. I would much rather receive a gift that is a bit more practical, a bit more in line with my daily needs, and a great deal closer to my soul.
Give me a bottomless cup of coffee.
Yes, you heard me correctly. Keep the sports cars, the mansions, and the lifetime supply of those ridiculously expensive bath bombs. What I want is a never-ending source of hot, delicious, life-giving coffee.
Picture a world where you never have to face the soul-crushing disappointment of an empty coffee pot. Your mug refills itself just as you take the last sip. The right balance of caffeine and cream is always within reach. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee follows you around like a loyal, caffeinated puppy.
That is what bliss looks like.
Someone will ask whether I would end up wired and jittery. To that person I say: have you met me before my morning coffee? This is not just about avoiding caffeine withdrawal headaches. It is about peak performance and unwavering alertness. It is about taking on the day with the energy of a thousand suns, or at least the energy of a well-rested adult who has had a sufficient amount of coffee.
So, dear gift-givers, skip the flowers and the chocolates. If you truly want to win my heart, and avoid meeting the pre-coffee version of me, give the gift of a bottomless cup of coffee. My productivity will thank you. So will my sanity, once it has had a cup.
