The women in my family have always been attracted to tea traditions and ceremonies. It started with my grandmother, who lived to be 104 years old; and has continued through the generations to my granddaughter, who is 3 years old and counting.
As children, we enjoyed serving and sipping “pretend tea” in plastic miniature cups and saucers, and hosting afternoon tea parties with willing family members. As we matured into adulthood, we exchanged plastic for fine bone china, and milk tea for the real thing.
To keep the tradition alive, we’ve introduced the youngest generation to the fine art of tea with all its accoutrements. As a result, Mimi (that’s me) frequently comes to tea parties hosted by the 3-year old Gabby.
A few days ago on a casual visit, Gabby carefully selected three of my butterfly china cups, saucers, dessert plates and a Yixing teapot and invited me to an impromptu tea party. While her mother anxiously held her breath, I watched as Gabby daintily picked up the teapot and pretended to pour tea into the delicate cups.
We pretended to sip it and eat scones slavered with clotted cream and strawberry preserves. This lasted for about 20 minutes, after which she painstakingly collected the things we had used and tried to put them into the dishwasher (imagine that—cleaning up after her own mess)! Her heart was in the right place; it’s just that she didn’t realize that I hand-wash all my fine china.
That’s precious! Your grandmother lived to 104. Was that because she drank a lot of tea? Perhaps it was. I know the drink can give happy years of long life. It’s my goal to let tea give me longevity too. –Spirituality of Tea