Monday morning. Unwashed china in the sink.
As I fingered the Moss-rose collection, I recalled conversations my granddaughters and I had during our tea party Saturday night. "Mimi," Nine-year-old Brooklyn related, "People don't understand teaparties."
"How so?"
"Well, they think teaparties are lame. They think they are old-fashioned and for old ladies. They think they're stupid." I understood where this conversation was going.
"And what do you think?"
"I think they are wonderful. We have so much fun. And it isn't just about tea. We have food." I explained English "high teas" and how they stopped and had biscuits with ham and other delights. How "teas" were a time to share thoughts and have conversations without feeling pressured to do something of major importance. She understood. "That's what I try to tell them. But they don't understand. They think it's stupid."
"What they think doesn't matter. What matters is what you think about tea-parties."
"I love tea parties!" Five-year-old Abby chimed in as she lifted her teacup and extended her pinky finger.
"Me too," Brooklyn affirmed. "This is the only place I can share my real feelings." My heart warmed. Amazing what taking an old set of child's china, adding apple-cider to the teapot, a baked potato, cantelope, cucumbers, carrots and sweet rolls can do for a child. Being nine today is like being thirteen when I was growing up. Betwixt and between childhood and adolescence. Peer pressure.
"I don't understand, Mimi. It's not old-fashioned to have teaparties. It's fun. Why do my friends think it's lame?"
"Because, sweetheart. They've never been to one."
Today I emplore you. All women everywhere. Go get a teaset. Teach daughters and granddaughters to savor moments of conversation. Joys of togetherness. Pleasures of common interests. The simplicity of life in all its complexity. There is a safe space to be whomever they are while sipping their tea at a party designed just for them. [copyrighted,selahvtoday,2007]
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