New Story: A Cup of Hope and a Slice of Heaven
The cozy tavern where no brew will ever be the same, and neither will you.

Somewhere along an old pilgrimage road in the Irish hills, there’s a crooked little cottage with a creaky door, a glowing hearth, and the scent of cinnamon and pine. Most travelers pass it by.

But those who step inside find something more than a warm drink and a fresh scone.

They find healing.
They find stories.
They find each other.

In today’s short story, I invite you into A Cup of Hope and a Slice of Heaven—a cozy fantasy tale about a magical tavern run by two mysterious hosts, where time flows differently, brews are made with memory and mercy, and the warmth you receive might just be the beginning of something new you pass on.

So grab your favorite mug, settle in, and listen closely.
There’s a knock at the door—and someone is about to step inside.

☕✨

In today's episode, I share the original version of a children's story I made up about a poodle and a chihuahua in Rome. The poodle's owner is a tradition-loving cardinal, whereas the chihuahua is the dog of a chef who one day decides to start experimenting with unconventional pizza toppings.

The dogs go on an adventure in the streets of Rome that ultimately end up affecting their owners as well.

The final version of the story will be part of my upcoming children's book about the animals of Rome. You can read it on my Substack: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-prelate-the-poodle-and-the-pizza

There’s a moment in The Ballad of Phil and Phyllis—a TikTok song about an immortal groundhog and his mortal love—when the music quiets, and Phil sings of watching everything fade while he stays the same. The fame, the crowds, the shadow he casts… none of it matters when the one you love is slipping away.

That moment hit me hard.

I didn’t expect to tear up over a musical groundhog ballad. But I did. Because this wasn’t just a clever spin on Punxsutawney Phil’s quirky legend. It was about something deeper: the ache of holding on when good things pass. The bittersweet beauty of something fleeting. The quiet question we all carry—What do you do when the person, the season, the joy you loved is gone, and you’re still here?

Oliver Richman, the songwriter behind this unexpected viral masterpiece, writes a new song every day. And somehow, on day 34, he struck gold. TikTok exploded with duets, reactions, and extensions of the story. Another songwriter, Brett Boles, even composed a companion song from Phyllis’s perspective, adding layers of longing and love. Soon a full studio version was recorded—with orchestrations, vocals by Broadway performers, and a music video. Fans (myself included) are now dreaming of a full-blown musical.

Because this song does something incredible. It walks straight into the sorrow of goodbye, and yet somehow… it leaves you with hope. Not a cheap, sugar-coated kind, but the kind that whispers: Love doesn’t end. Memory matters. Something remains.

As a priest and a writer, I’ve seen that truth echoed in so many lives—in grief, in farewells, in faith. And when I heard this song, it felt like a story I already knew, deep down. That’s why I couldn’t help myself. I wrote a short story inspired by Phil and Phyllis. It’s not a retelling, but an homage—a thank you to Oliver Richman, whose creativity and honesty opened a space for all of us to feel something true.

This is the recording I made on my bike of the original draft. You can read the final, polished version here: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/nothings-supposed-to-live-forever