“Bettybucks”
While we are all doing our best to navigate these difficult times, in the spirit of mom’s positive and optimistic outlook on life, we hope that our posts will bring a smile to your face and brighten your day.
Are you wondering what the heck Bettybucks is? As you have probably guessed, it has to do with coffee. Getting a coffee was the highlight of Mom’s day. She loved to dawdle along to her local coffee shop, rain or shine, (stopping to pet dogs, speak with strangers and marvel at babies) and over time we referred to her destination as Bettybucks….aka Starbucks.
The Tradition Begins
Starbucks was a part of Mom’s life for a long time. She and Dad would visit there daily, spending time enjoying their drinks and making new friends…well, Mom would make the friends. It would start with a smile and a pleasant comment and Mom would take it from there.
When Dad passed, Starbucks was an important “anchor” for Mom…..a continued tradition that helped give her day structure and something to look forward to. In the minds of many, she became synonymous with Starbucks. Her friends would often make a point of asking if she had been to Starbucks yet.
“The Betty”
Her drink was always the same, and over time the baristas got to know her order off by heart. If we went to Starbucks without Mom, we only had to say the first few words and they often knew we were ordering a “Betty.” And what a drink it was…….a calorie laden:
- Grande
- Decaf
- Caramel Latte
- Single shot
- Extra foam
- Extra Caramel drizzle
The Staff
The staff at Starbucks treated Mom like she was the most important customer of the day. They always greeted her with a welcoming smile, and a friendly hello. Everyone knew her…. even the new hires knew who she was, and what she liked to drink. If they saw her at the back of the line, they would often have her drink ready by the time she reached the counter and they routinely personalized her cup sleeve with a “cute message of the day”.
Two of the younger staff took a special interest in Mom and at one point arranged to take her to a movie. They even paid. Imagine Mom’s surprise when the two girls arrived to pick her up, and the mother of one of them was driving! Mom had just assumed that the girls were old enough to drive.
Betty Makes the Newspaper
Because she was a loyal customer and staff favorite, Mom was asked to appear in a community newspaper ad for Starbucks. She was very proud to be named an honorary Starbucks Ambassador, but couldn’t help but point out that the staff should have told her that her apron was crooked, before they did “the shoot.”
Starbucks Goes on a Cruise
When Dad passed, Kerri and Shauna took Mom on a cruise along the East coast of the US and Canada. Starbucks became a “cruise theme.” We decided that we would make a point of finding a Starbucks in as many of the ports as possible, partly because Mom needed her daily “Betty” and partly because it was just fun.
The Last Drink
Over the last few months of Mom’s life there were numerous stays in the hospital, but fortunately there was a Starbucks on site. The staff there got to know the three of us very well, because whenever we visited her, of course we brought her a coffee. When other family, and friends visited they made a point of bringing her coffee as well.
When Mom passed, one last Starbucks drink was placed at her gravesite. As a wonderful testimonial to her joyful and friendly personality, her memorial service was also attended by Starbucks staff.
It might sound “corny” but in our minds, it is impossible to over state the significance of Starbucks to Mom. It gave her a sense of a caring community and an acknowledgement of her as a person. Elderly women are often overlooked in our society but Starbucks staff truly appreciated her sweet, friendly approach to life and always added a bright spot to her day.
Thank You Starbucks!
We plan to add a new post every Monday so stay tuned for our next post “Won’t You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise…
12 Comments
Len MacDonald
These are the real stories of life. I would have loved hanging out with Betty.
Jamie McCaig
Another amazing installment of the Adventures of Grandma Betty!!!!! I have fond memories of going to Starbucks and the event each trip was!!! Can’t wait for next weeks tale!!!
Middlesister
Stay tuned! Next week involves adventures on a sea cruise with Betty!!
Amy Masand
A big congrats on the launch of your blog. I have truly enjoyed reading the first few posts. Grandma always brought a bit of sunshine wherever she went, and had quite a knack for getting featured in the local media. She was one of a kind indeed.
Bigsister
Thanks for your kind words Amy. We are having lots of fun with the blog. Grandma was a ray of sunshine and we miss her so much. Stayed tuned for more adventures coming up!
Alexa Warner
Love this. I think I take after her with my love (and daily need) of Starbucks! Just the simple little things that make each day a little brighter 🙂 Miss her.
Al McCaig
Betty always had a smile for each and every day as the latest pictures can attest. We had so many great moments at the many Richmond Starbucks talking about daily life – the mall walking club and recounting fifty winters in Edmonton before moving to Richmond. We both really enjoyed swimming and when Kerri and I retired to Penticton, Betty loved to visit here and enjoy our beaches with the families.
During the day, Starbucks coffee was her beverage of choice but Betty also loved a family party with 5 o’clock Dubonnet and 8 o’clock red wine – whether as a host or being hosted, life with Betty was always a wonderful time❤️
Middlesister
Thanks for your kind thoughts about mom Al. You have described her zest for life very well!
Jill McCaig
Lovely. I actually choked up reading how you left her favourite drink on her grave. So sweet!
Middlesister
Thanks Jill. Starbucks was an important part of mom’s daily life so we thought it only fitting to make sure we acknowledged that one last time.
Bev Sullivan
As I recall, the drink was a Venti and she would carry the drink with her all day long , from sun up until sun down. I am sure it was quite cold by the end of the day, but she still loved it. I had the pleasure of having Betty as my mother-in-law and she was likely one of the sweetest ladies I ever knew. We were kindred spirits ! Good luck with the site girls! Oh yes and son down was her happiest time of the day, when Mark and Randy went to bed. Love you Betty and miss you a lot!
Middlesister
You are so right Bev, mom did go from a grande to a venti to make it last longer and I must confess that I have carried on her habit of making the drink last all day! Thanks for you good wishes – we are having lots of fun blogging!