A Friday Morning Feast of Friendship

 

Good morning, friends! It's your humble narrator, bringing you a heartwarming good morning, to all virtual friends! Captain Hedges is reporting in live from my front porch in Shreveport Lousanna on this bright Friday morning, April 25th, 2025. The air is alive with the wonderful smells of coffee, pancakes, and fired turkey bacon – a true feast for the senses! What started as a simple breakfast has blossomed into a beautiful testament to resilience, friendship, and the unexpected joys of building community. Pull up a virtual chair, grab a cup of coffee (brewed with love, of course!), and let me share a story of neighbors, shared journeys, and the sweet taste of a new beginning.

This morning is extra special because I'm sharing it with my neighbors, who are more like family forged in the crucible of shared experience. 

Not long ago, we were all navigating the harsh realities of homelessness, side-by-side on the streets. 

Now, thanks to a twist of fate and a lot of perseverance, and help from the nonprofit organizations here in Shreveport Louisiana, we each have our own apartments. And we've created our own little community, taking turns cooking and looking out for one another.

This morning, it's my turn to brew the coffee. 

They always say Earl (that's me, Captain Hedges!) makes the best pot, so I made sure to brew a big one! As we sit here, sharing pancakes and stories, this simple breakfast feels like a grand medieval banquet. We may not have lords or servants, but the bond of friendship and the gratitude for where we are now is a treasure beyond measure.

This growing community is a powerful testament to the fact that even after facing hardship, beautiful things can take root and flourish. It's a blessing, a gift from above, and a reminder that even though my impatient nature sometimes gets the better of me, the unfolding of this community has been a beautiful process. It reminds me of Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." We may not be the early church, but we are devoted to each other, to sharing, and to finding strength in our shared journey.  

It's a powerful reminder of the blessings we receive, big and small. We've been lifted from hardship, and for that, I am eternally grateful to our heavenly father. Yet, even in this moment of joy, my impatience peeks through. There's a part of me that always wants to rush forward, to seize the next opportunity. But seeing the contentment on my friends' faces, the simple pleasure of this shared meal, reminds me that some of the best things in life are worth savoring.

So, here's to good company, to the warmth of friendship, and to the journey that brought us here. And yes, maybe just for this morning, I can embrace a little patience and truly appreciate this moment, to the strength we find in each other, and to the simple joy of a shared breakfast on a Friday morning. May our little community continue to grow and thrive!

What about you, folks? Have you experienced the joy of building community in unexpected places? Share your stories below! 

This is Captain Hedges, signing off with a full heart and a full stomach!