Brunch. That mid or late morning meal that is both breakfast and lunch. But also a term that means so much more. One of my fav brunch spots is 5 Oars Coffee Roasters in Siglap. A short walk from home, and I’m there. Ready to enjoy a delicious brekkie-lunch combo.
But really, brunch isn’t about the food for me. It’s about sitting with a person and catching up, one to one. Getting to know them better, and deepening a friendship. A proper heart to heart that moves beyond “What’s been happening?” to “How are you coping?”, and hopefully to “How can I help?”. Sometimes it’s even like rummaging about in your own heart, and spring cleaning. You discover things hidden away that come into the light, and the mere articulation to another of events, emotions, hopes, and fears brings clarity.
That clarity bit is a little like my counselling sessions, except this is with a friend, usually with a shared history, and there’s mutual reciprocity. They also open up, as clarity comes from the affirmation of someone who truly hears and sees them. That’s the thing about brunch. It’s time carved out for reciprocal sharing, a giving and also receiving, speaking and also listening. It’s meant to be life giving, not soul draining. Sounds simple but it isn’t. One must intentionally determine to foster that reciprocity, and sometimes we do forget how necessary it is. Brunch is not a one sided convo.
It’s not an open, single slice of buttered sourdough toast with all of me laid out on it. It’s a sandwich, of two happily met slices of buttered sourdough toast, with all sorts of fillings and flavours, constructed throughout brunch itself. A dash of spicy, a pinch of salty, a splash of silly, maybe a spill of tears, a rash of regret, a gaggle of giggles… all washed down with cups of warm affection on endless refill.
The creation of a safe space between friends is a reciprocal thing that invites participation, welcoming the other into the shared space. The participation in opening up, being vulnerable, sharing deeply, baring one’s soul even… these are all optional add ons to the brunch menu. You must choose them, but only if you want to indulge.
I think of them as essentials, really, and at brunch I always have them on my plate. I don’t do brunch otherwise. Why waste time being superficial when we can dive deep?
Pix from 5 Oars Coffee Roasters while waiting for an old dear friend for brunch yesterday. Was a perfect brunch! We made a marvellous sandwich. ❤️
Thanks for reading,
Pav
