“You can choose your friends, but you sho’ can’t choose your family.” That famous quote from Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, got me thinking about my “chosen” friends—the ones who shape our lives in meaningful ways.

Do you have that one friend who, despite the miles between you, makes it feel like no time has passed whenever you reconnect? Or perhaps there’s a friend with whom you can dive into deep spiritual conversations, someone who enriches your faith journey.

In today’s political climate, I find it heartbreaking how many friendships are strained or even lost over differing beliefs. It often feels like we’ve forgotten how to have civil conversations and, more importantly, how to truly listen—not to reply, but to understand.

And then there are the friendships that challenge us—those that feel one-sided, where boundaries are crossed, or where giving outweighs receiving. Life brings many people across our path; some stay briefly, others leave lasting impressions, and a few remain for the long haul.

What I’ve come to learn is that real friendship takes effort. It’s not just about what we receive, but also what we give. It takes empathy, patience, and a willingness to listen—not with the intent to respond, but with the heart to understand. What kind of friend are you? – Something to contemplate over this month’s Coconut Cloud Latte.

Coconut Cloud Latte

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Brew 2 shots of espresso using your preferred method. Set aside to completely cool.
  2. In a cup, add the coconut milk, coconut cream, whipping cream and remaining 1tsp of maple syrup. Froth with a milk frother for 30 seconds to one minute. Make sure the mixture is thick.
  3. Rim a highball glass with 1 tsp of maple syrup. Dip the rim in the toasted coconut.
  4. Add ice to the highball glass.
  5. Add espresso and the coconut mixture to the glass give it a stir. Dollop a little coconut mixture to the top and sprinkle with extra toasted coconut.
  6. Serve with a cute straw and ENJOY!

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