It all began with a song.

I received a text from my sister. The text was one short sentence in length, and informed me that she was listening to a song by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw entitled “Speak to a Girl.” I replied that I’d listen to it.

Sitting down on a park bench, I brought up the song on my phone and listened to it. The lyrics are about having the respect to talk and speak with the women around you. It brought tears to my eyes.

If you haven’t listened to the song, I recommend it because it reminds us to respect each other. All basic and long lasting relationships should have respect as their basic building block.

Later, I was on my way to have a coffee chat with a new friend of mine. On my way to the coffee shop, I met a woman who knows both of us. She was surprised I was going to share coffee time with that other fellow. She noted how we are so far apart in our societal beliefs, and asked how I could talk to him.

Immediately, my mind jumped to the song I’d just listened to about respecting others who aren’t like yourself. I simply replied that we respect each other. She nodded her head in affirmation.

It’s important for us to show and give respect not only to other folks, but to the other things around us like the earth and the products made for us. A specific example of respecting a product would be how we react to a wine or a spirit.

A bottle of Grillo Sicilian wine appeared before me last night, and I popped the cork from the bottle. Typically, a Grillo is defined as being a little bland and so-so. I describe it as a hybrid between a Chardonnay and a Pinot Grigio. Yes, I would say it’s a little hard to define, but, so be it! The history of the wine deserves respect as do the vintners who make the very old varietal. Enjoy the wine for what it is and not what you think it should be.

I’ve tasted many wines I’d describe as thin. That means they don’t fulfill my sensory expectations of the wine, but, again, so be it. Someone has worked long and hard to grow, harvest and make the wine — respect their efforts.

A bit ago I was gifted a bottle of Hines Cognac. In the cognac orbit, it receives very high ratings, and is well respected. I’d never tasted it before, and I eagerly opened the bottle. My first smell and taste were something totally unexpected. The aroma and taste were extremely sharp and alcoholic. But I’ve learned that, like me, some beverages need a bit of time to breathe. That breath of air allows the oxygen to soften the liquid, and, its then, that the true flavors forge forth.

After a short amount of time, I again sipped the cognac. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. For me, it’s iconic, and I like to think it respects me as much as I respect it.

Well, the bottom line is to listen to, to talk with and respect everything around you.

I’ll talk to my sister this afternoon.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!