Christmas Eve at Monk's Rock

Here in Kodiak, we really like our coffee. Off the top of my head, I can think of seven coffee shops and drive-thrus in Kodiak, and at least three of the places roast their own coffee. I think we actually have more coffee shops than bars!

One of our coffee shops, Monk's Rock, isn't just a coffee shop. It's also a restaurant, a bakery, a thrift store, and a souvenir/Russian Orthodox icon store, and, in a way, a charity. It is run by Saint Innocent's Academy, a program for at-risk young adults. These young adults bake the bread and bagels and staff the shop. They also make up the impressively talented St. Innocent's choir.

A friend suggested we go to Monk's Rock for lunch on Christmas Eve Day. When we got there, the choir was singing and performing music. We ordered our lunch, and when my mom went to pay, she was told by a young man in a red and white suit that he, Santa, was paying. He pulled out an oversized credit card, and that was that.

So we sat down to our free lunch and enjoyed at least an hour of music. As staff members of Monk's Rock walked by, they were sometimes pulled into the performance. A photographer for our local newspaper was sent home for his trumpet so he could jump in on some songs.

I was so glad my parents got to participate in such a unique experience. It highlighted some of the things I love most about Kodiak, like its cultural diversity and the warmth, openness, and generosity of the people. I can't think of a better way to have celebrated Christmas Eve.