Daisy and the Red Cups

Daisy is right.

Now, those of you who frequent Daisy’s blog may not always agree with that statement, but I must say that frequently, mixed in among the daily angst that is being Daisy, Daisy also offers a lot of insight into the basic fragility of the human psyche. To wit: Daisy’s fascination with the red cups.

Now, I am a scientist-turned-law student (soon to be lawyer). I try to always be on the side of reason and I try not to let myself be manipulated by such things as the commercialization of every single real and made up holiday. Christmas has always been different, and for this I blame by buddy Aaron. There is just something about Christmas that makes everyone cheerful even if the season consists of exams, a rapid last minute grab for presents for the loved ones, frantic trips to the airport, family in-fighting and the like. In spite of ALL of that, the season just seems to cheer people up.

This brings me back to Daisy. Daisy had enormous insight into the importance of the red cups. Now, at first, upon reading of Daisy’s obsession, I was much like Charlie Brown in the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I mean, what could represent a grosser example of Christmas commercialization than the idea that the color of the cups from a coffee colossus now signals the beginning of the holiday season? I chuckled when I read Daisy’s column (as I often do), but then I reflected a bit on her excitement over seeing the red cups. I am proud to say that I now understand and, like, Daisy, have been converted into believing in the value of the commercial Starbucks red cups.

It is not so much that I embrace the commerciality of it all, but it has more to do with finding joy in the smallest places. Daisy’s ability to find pockets of happiness from no more than the color of a coffee cup is a reminder that we should all be so quick to find joy in what is often a cold world. This morning I was on my way into the firm, and I noticed a person walking out of a Starbucks with a red cup. I felt a flush of happiness, and with my heart racing (literally..I know, weird..but I had a rush of happiness) I entered the Starbucks to find it decorated for Christmas, the menus converted to the Christmas offerings, and the workers joyfully going about their business. I immediately ordered a fat free egg nog latte (YES! Here until New Years!), and I was thrilled to see it delivered in a red cup. I do not know what it was, but EVERYONE in the Starbucks today seemed to have a little more joy in their step. Could it be that the red cup, signifying the advent of Christmas, was solely responsible for this infectious cloud of happiness on a chilly Chicago morning? I would like to think so. It was the perfect way to begin my day, and I think that it will be a great one because of it.

Thanks, Daisy. Your little post about your joy in finding red cups has made me believe that a little injection of commercialism into the Christmas spirit can supersede that commercialism and become something more in the hearts of those of us who want to find a little happiness where we can.