To all the Fallen

This beautiful German beer stein was originally my father’s. My sister gave it to him as a gift after she came home from her semester abroad in Europe. He thought it was a great gift, especially considering how much he likes craft beer, but he didn’t use it that often. I, on the other hand, used it whenever I was home from college. I thought it was the coolest glass in the world, and over time it kind of became mine. Not gonna lie, I almost felt official while using it. That’s the best way I can put that - felt like a special night when I got to use the glass. I hadn’t even fully developed an appreciation for good beer at that point, but this glass certainly helped that along.

It wasn’t officially given to me until I had moved into my apartment in Rockville a few months back. I remember packing up my kitchen stuff and asking my dad if I could take it, praying that he’d say yes. He did, and I wrapped it in about an entire roll of paper towels because I couldn’t have it break during the move. Luckily I wasn’t moving too far, but I was still nervous. Of course the day had to come when I lost my focus for one second, and then…*poof* (literally some of it turned to dust). I was washing the dishes, and I knocked it off the drying rack onto the counter. It shattered into an uncountable number of pieces, and I just about cried. This glass really meant a lot to me. I had been using it for 5 years and because of a slip of my hand, it’s gone. This seems like such a silly thing to be upset about but at the same time it was a special occasion glass. I used it often, but not every night. Usually when I was trying something new. I think I have a small shard of it stuck in my hand, so I guess it’ll be with me forever. That is until it works its way out.

This is what the glass looked like when it wasn’t broken. Heavy base, gold rim, beautiful art front and center…made me feel like a king. I’m genuinely going to miss this glass, and I don’t plan on replacing it anytime soon. I have other glasses that I like, and I’ve broken glasses before, but this one is different. I’ll tell you what though, if this is the biggest problem I have, then I’m doing alright. If you’ve ever broken your favorite glass, then you know how this feels, and I now know how it feels too. If you have a favorite glass, use it tonight, pour something new into it, and take an extra second to appreciate it. You never know when you can be a butterfingers like me and make just the wrong move.

To all the broken glasses out there, you served us well.