Saturday 14 February 2015

the Barrista, the Palaeontologist and the Hobbit



Someone I used to work with years ago, would often say 'change is not a good thing'.
I would always disagree........vehemently. Change is good, change means that life is moving forward, we all need to adapt to change because the world is ever evolving, ever changing.

The only changes I don't like are those where people move on, when they move out of my life.

Last September my favourite barrista Harvey moved on, moved to London to study music, left his Saturday shift at the café and left me bereft of the one person that could always put a smile on my face (and on the faces of many a young lady that visited the café !).
Harvey is caring, polite, clever, a complete one-off, gorgeous inside and out and a credit to his parents, and I miss him.


I encouraged his departure, I told him he should move away to study, even though there was a very good music course in our own town. I encouraged him, because I wanted him to broaden his horizons. I encouraged him because if you care about someone you want what's best for them (I'm not under the delusion that I had any sway in his decision), and so he left.

Parting was very sad for me, slightly amusing for him.
Saturdays just aren't the same.

David also left..........in November.


The prolific, grumpy old artist who worked next to the café had long talked of giving up his studio and moving away, moving somewhere quieter where there would hopefully be less chattering females, noisy children and yapping dogs.

He gave me a parting gift, a painting I had admired, he called it The Palaeontologist.


I love it, it reminds me of him. You can see the similarity between the man pulling the giant skull and the self portrait he drew on the front of the envelope of the Christmas card he sent us. Also he's moved from the South Coast to the quieter and more rugged north Norfolk Coast, and I could never imagine him away from a beach.


It's a miniature.


He gave me another gift.

We had been to see the first two Hobbit movies together but he knew he was moving away before the third film came out, so he made me a little version of himself that I could take to the cinema with me. I call him my David Hobbit.


He's also miniature, a miniature Hobbit with a white beard and an artists jacket covered in paint.

I miss David too, he was a friend and ally that I had known long before I started working at the café. He said I wouldn't miss him, but I told him I'd miss his grumpy face every morning, he laughed and kissed me goodbye (I think I could have been his 5th wife, should I have so desired !!!)

Whether I will ever see the palaeontologist again, I don't know. We've joked about getting a coach load of people together and going to visit him (officially he's given no-one his address, but he did draw it for us !) something I think he would hate and love in equal measure, but either way I'm sure the change is doing him good.


As for the barrista, he came back at Christmas and did a few shifts at the café.......... it was great, like old times. It also made me wonder why I had had such an adverse reaction to his departure; after all London isn't very far away and though his life will change and move on I'm sure he'll often be back to visit.

And my David Hobbit............well although my life may change, at least he'll never move on..............anyway, he's got to stick around for a bit, we haven't seen the movie yet !




13 comments:

  1. So enjoyed reading about your dear friends, Fiona; they seem like such lovely gentlemen! Yes, it is very sad when people we admire and have grown close to leave for greener pastures. But, like you said, change is healthy, and you always want the best for the people you care about, and if that means having to leave town to follow their dreams, then we can only wish them the best and hope that they pop in to see us, whenever they can.

    Your barrista and artist buddies may be far away, but I know you have them close to your heart.

    Happy Valentine's Day!

    Poppy

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  2. Such a lovely post - I can relate to this & some special people who have touched my life. Isn't it wonderful to appreciate people for who they are and have them in your life allbeit for a short while.

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  3. This is wonderful, Fiona. I too am a people collector, lol!

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  4. Your friends are incredibly talented and you formed such a bond with them due to the artist in all three of you. Priceless.

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  5. In time like this, you realise that where you live is not as important as who you have around you. I hope you'll see your barista eery now and then and that you'll have news from the artist at some point... And North Norfolk coast is beautiful, you can visit!

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  6. What is the old song, "Make new friends, but keep the old...One is silver and the other gold." You are wealthy indeed. I do think you should go visit the artist sometime. Such a lovely post.

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  7. such an great post, fiona:) it is sad when cherished people out of our lives. thank goodness, they always leave fond memories:)

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  8. I love that you found these two artists in your life and that they made you so happy. It's sad when someone that we feel a connection with moves on but as you say that's part of life. I am hopping that you find that again soon because art and music are good for the soul.

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  9. Ah, you've got me teary eyed with this post Fiona. It's always hard when people you love move away and you no longer see them on a daily basis. The gifts from your artist friend are priceless and I know you'll cherish them forever. A lovely post.
    Vickie

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  10. What a lovely tribute to these two gentlemen, Fiona. I think they're very blessed to know you, and to be counted among your dearest friends. I think David the Hobbit is adorable. . .Mr. Grumpy Old Artist seems to have a wonderful sense of humor and whimsy. xxx ~ Nancy

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  11. What an interesting group of friends you have! Those are great parting gifts and I love the idea of the little man going to the movie with you. Put me in your other pocket when you go.

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  12. Of course I noticed what a handsome young man sweet Harvey is. All curly haired and guitar playing and all. He should have left you with a parting mini me too!

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