Kim’s Tea Set
My father recently sold one of his houses, and among the treasures I received was my childhood porcelain tea set. My mother had taken the time before she left this world to carefully label it “Kim’s” with a blue magic marker. Since I’m the only daughter, that probably wasn’t necessary, but it shows she wanted to make sure I got it when the time came. Our dad has lost his moorings and is now dating a woman with three grown children and 11 grandchildren and who doesn’t like dogs, so perhaps mom‘s labeling was more intuitive than any of us would have believed. In any case, it’s a Hygge feeling to get my tea set back on the other side of 50. I look at the disintegrating box and think of how we’ve both aged, this tea set and I. We both have been broken along the way and are missing a few pieces from our original start up set, but we can still hold water.
The pink Sears Big Toy Box logo rests in the corner of the box, bringing back all the warm feels of visiting my grandmother at work in the Sears catalog division in downtown Waycross, Georgia in the 1960s days of the Wish Book -yesterday’s Amazon with a slightly longer wait time and a lot more hope.
My 54 year old hands pick up the teapot and pretend-pour a cup of hot tea into one of the little rosebud cups and wish my mother were here to impart her golden wisdom as the imaginary tea leaves and liquid coalesce and the saucers remember all the once upon a times.
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. When you mentioned Sears, I also recall fond memories of my trips to the local Mall in the 1970s. Sears still reigned supreme in those days. Nearly all of my school clothes, toys and many of my parents household appliances were purchased there. Thanks for helping me remember.
ReplyDeleteYou've said so much here! About who you've been and who you are now. About today and about time gone by. About Mom and about Dad. That you did it in 3 paragraphs is something. It's reminiscent and poignant and lovely and I'm glad you shared it. The pictures are great too. -Tim Wheeler (blogger comments on mobile are weird for me...sorry!)
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet! I love how you added the pictures. They really bring your memories alive!
ReplyDelete>My 54 year old hands pick up the teapot and pretend-pour a cup of hot tea into one of the little rosebud cups and wish my mother were here to impart her golden wisdom as the imaginary tea leaves and liquid coalesce and the saucers remember all the once upon a times. <
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. The voice here got me, big time. That your mom would label this for you says a lot about both of you. And the pictures come the writing! :)
Thank you for sharing with us!
I really enjoyed reading this slice about your tea set. I remember playing with a tea set growing up and, even now, one of my favorite things to do is enjoy a mug of tea with my mother when I get to visit her. I am glad you have this little piece of nostalgia and memory. I like that you took the time to partake in the imaginary tea as well.
ReplyDelete