A Winter Morning Tale...or Starbucks, How could you???

A blustery, stormy morning hit me in the face as I stepped out of my warm house. I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck and headed towards my car. I clutched my precious starbucks travel mug, knowing it would be just a few short minutes until it would be filled with a steaming hot and comforting Skinnny Gingerbread Latte. My car knows the way to Sbux, so I enjoyed minimal consciousness on the way up 85. I found a parking space, and climbed out of my car and back into the wind. I almost got ran over by a Datsun.I opened the doors and entered the safe haven of my local Starbucks. Ah, the smell! I closed my eyes and breathed in the heady scent. Then I opened my eyes. Wh...? Oh my God, NOOOOOOOO!Gone were the festive decorations. Gone were the clever gift ideas. Gone were the little gift card mittens. Holiday Travel mugs were piled in a bin. The shelves were stocked with plain white mugs. Sumatra was the coffee of the week. What happened to Christmas Blend? I still wanted to send a pound to soilders overseas, and donate to needy families going without Starbucks this Holiday Season. (BTW: Great idea, Starbucks! We can't have families in America go without.)I took all of it in. I took deep breaths. I knew what was coming next. I gulped and raised my eyes. And there it was. A TAN menu. No red in sight. No gingerbread latte, skinny OR fat. The horror.I trudged up to the counter. The Barista, who, up until this terrible day, had always greeted me with a cheery "Good Morning - Venti Skinny Gingerbread Latte?", looked at me blankly. I stared back until I realized she didn't know what I wanted. I choked up. I froze. I panicked. What did I want? Oh no. Oh no. The cute Barista dude making the coffees looked over. He frowned, then his face lit up. "We have bottles of Sugar free GB syrup in the back!" He pronounced. I gasped. His coworker smiled. The clouds lifted, the sun peeked through the window and glinted off of a checker board table. Angels sang. The Barista ran into the back room, and returned in a moment, proudly setting the bottle of gold yumminess on the counter. It could be all mine for $6.95.I still need to order a drink for today. The spell had been broken, and I was able to think again. I ordered my back up, the trusty Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte. The Barista taking my order must've had some left over Christmas cheer - she gave me my coffee for free. Either that, or she felt sorry for my Starbucks dependant, pathetic, over reactive self. Regardless, I bounded out of that store and lifted my red travel mug to the sky in a salute to the Starbucks Gods. So now, I sit at work, telling my tale to you. It is a bittersweet tale, and I shall miss my SFGBL. But, there's always next year. Until then, SFGBL, until then.
No Skinny GB Lattes: my heart and soul
Replacement SFGB syrup: $6.95
FREE Starbucks: Priceless.