The Tea Party

I went to a tea party this past weekend.
It was a very special tea party.
It was a tea party for my oldest granddaughter’s fourth birthday.
Her sister and cousin were there along with three little friends.

It’s funny how one little tea party could bring back so many memories.
Memories of my youngest daughter who had a tea party when she was four years old.
Memories of that same daughter playing with little fragile tea cups bought at the dollar store.
We still have that tea set that was so well loved and so well used.

My own fondness of tea made this little tea party special.
I look forward to the day when my granddaughter and I can talk over a cup of tea.
What made this even more special was that Grandma’s actual tea cups and teapot were used.
I remember the day my daughter asked me.

My daughter told me of the tea party she planned for her oldest daughter.
Mom, do you think…?
Do you want to use my tea cups? I asked, finishing her question.
If you don’t mind…but you can say, no!

Why would I ever say, no? That’s what they are there for.
Through the years I have found old tea cups and saucers at antique stores.
I have been gifted other tea sets as well.
Three wrought iron racks hold my tea cups on a bottom hook, while the saucers are on the top.

We walked into the dining room where the cups and saucers are hanging.
My daughter chose flowered, “springy” ones.
She wrapped each in bubble plastic and put them in a bin from the basement.
She chose one of my three teapots as well.

I was asked to come to the tea party to help my daughter.
My oldest daughter came as well.
We were the servers that morning.
The table was set much like any little four-year-old girl would dream.

Pink napkins and utensils, along with flowered paper plates, were at each place.
A small plate was lettered with each girl’s name.
A table runner with teapots was place in the center of the table.
Little pink gift bags were on the hutch waiting for each girl to bring home.

My daughter made little tea sandwiches of peanut butter and jelly, turkey, or cheese.
The crusts were cut off the bread.
A large bowl of fruit was on the island waiting to be spooned onto the girls’ plates.
Pouches of apple sauce and little juice boxes were to be given as well.

Grandma and Aunt served the little girls their lukewarm tea from the teapot.
I went around with an English china cream and sugar set to put a bit into each cup.
The girls felt so special.
They were all in cute dresses and brought their favorite stuffed animal.

These moments are fleeting.
They have each been on the earth only four years.
In a few more years, tea parties with a stuffed animal friend will be a distant memory.
To them, perhaps, but not to my daughter; who will have this memory etched in her heart.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Luke 12:35-40)

Serving the little four-year-old girls was my privilege.
I was serving to help my daughter.
I was serving so that my granddaughter had a precious memory of being four-years-old.
I was serving because my Lord Jesus will one day serve me.

Jesus is Servant Lord.
Jesus washed feet.
Jesus healed the sick.
Jesus fed the hungry.

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. (Matthew 20:28)
How could I do any less?
Even if it meant serving little four-year-old girls in dresses with my own china tea cups.
Especially then.

2 responses to “The Tea Party”

1. I remember years ago giving a tea party for my 5 granddaughters. I bought small teacups and saucers for them I think they all ,enjoyed it, as did the Mommys who also attended. Everyone was dressed in their pretty dresses and on their best behavior. A special memory indeed.

   Reply

   • How lovely, Sue!
     I hope my granddaughter remembers her tea party as much as I will.
     A special memory indeed.
     Gina

     Reply