First We Have Coffee Book

The author, born in 1917, shares memories of growing up in the household of her intellectual minister father and her more-than-capable Norwegian immigrant mother. Every chapter is loaded with heart and in each is a life lesson that is timeless. I mean, I felt like I was sitting at the knee of a woman with as much faith and inclusive love as Corrie ten Boom! This amazing woman would have been a contemporary of my grandmothers, for whom I also have huge admiration and gratitude. This is the kind of womanhood we need to replicate today. For this reason I feel that this is a MUST READ for any woman who is at the helm of a household.

I took a peek at some of the other "reviews" of this book and would like to add some thoughts about the emotionally distant father. It seems that today's take on yesterday's parenting is more along the lines of, "Hey, get with the program. Get over yourself already. Be chummy, even if you are clueless as to how to be playful or engaged."

My father was also emotionally distant, intellectual, and a bit apart from family life. I remember wishing at times that he were more fun. However, I came to appreciate him immensely when I became an adult. Looking back I can see that he WAS involved with us in very important ways and that he managed to make being a father a high priority. Things are not always as they appear.

The author shares a watershed moment in her parent's marriage which she learned about when her mother was very old. There was an incident that made her mother contemplate leaving her husband. Just as this was about to happen she heard a sermon on forgiveness from a visiting pastor which helped her reconsider her decision. I think that part of the strength of this memoir is including the challenges faced.