Traverse City, Michigan
Friday Afternoon
June 16, 2023 

I’m sitting by the window at a cafe in downtown Traverse City, Michigan.

I have a cup of black coffee and the best view of the town.

From where I sit I can see the world walk right past me.

I’ve been seated for 20 minutes and have already made eye contact with at least 100 people.

You might think that’s an exaggeration, but it’s the truth.

If I was going to lie about something it would be about something more incredible than eye contact with strangers.

The sun is out today and so is the rest of the world.

Last night I told God that I had hit my limit of gloomy days and he responded with perfect weather.

Sometimes He is quick to answer.

Sometimes He is slow to answer.

But He’s always listening to what we say.

Two older ladies just walked past the cafe.

They were arm in arm; smiling ear to ear.

Behind them were two men, I’m guessing their husbands.

The men walked a step slower than the ladies, giving their reunion space for celebration.

It looks like it has been awhile since they’ve seen each other, but now it appears all's right with the world.

A girl in a blue dress just walked into the cafe. She has a small Snoopy tattoo on the back of her forearm. My mom loves Snoopy and because she loves Snoopy, I love Snoopy, too. My mom also tells me that I should have been in The FBI because I notice everything.

Across the street I see a father carrying his daughter and I wonder what that must be like.

Walking right by the window is a man walking a dog and I know what that is like.

There is a group of girls gathered together outside of the cafe. One of the girls is wearing a sash that says, “BRIDE TO BE” in glitter. All the girls look like they are about ready for a cocktail or coffee or both.

Bachelorette parties look exhausting.

There is a lady in a black dress sitting outside on the patio. She’s drinking a latte and scrolling on her phone and taking selfies. 

I’m having a hard time concentrating on the work I came here to do.

The parade of people is a wonderful distraction.

I cannot help but want to know everyone’s story.

The lady stopped taking selfies and is now vaping. We all make our choices. To be honest, vaping does not look as cool as smoking a cigarette. Not even close.

A woman just approached the cafe’s counter and asked if they had anything without sugar.

She peered into the glass case of pastries and cookies and brownies and cinnamon rolls and said, "I don't like anything sweet at all."

How do these people live?
What is their motivation for working out?
Why do they wake up in the morning?
What do they look forward to?

Today I had a donut and a cookie and I don’t plan to stop there.

Two high school boys just strutted (that’s right, strutted) down the sidewalk without their shirts on.

They are muscular and confident and hairless and for obvious reasons, annoying.

There is another bachelorette party walking by. This group is coordinated. All of them are wearing jean shorts and a neon tank top. Well, except the bride to be. She’s wearing a white maxi dress. I only know what a maxi dress is because my wife told me.

The two bachelorette parties are now heading towards each other.

I wonder if they’ll fight.

I don’t know why they would, but that’s the thought that popped into my head.

All the girls scream and throw their hands up and yell, “hey!!”

No fight, just excitement.

The two brides-to-be find each other and show off their engagement rings.

All the girls yell and scream again.

I cannot help but think there is someone in the group who hurts a little every time their friend shows off the ring.

Sometimes one person's joy is another person's grief.

Life is hard like that.

Life is complex and complicated.

We are complex and complicated.

Some of us don’t even like sugar.

The best seat in Traverse City, Michigan is at BREW.
BREW is a coffeehouse in the City Opera House building off East Front Street.

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.