The last birthday gift my sister, Denise, gave me before she passed away was several packages of special teas. She had gone on vacation with my twin sister, and their spouses, to San Francisco and happened upon a little tea shop where the owners made all their own teas. The story behind the gift was as fun to hear as the present was to open. Soon after, she became too ill to travel and four months later she was gone.
I have held these teas, in their pink and opaque packages, in my tea drawer, and every time I see them I think of her and the way her face lit up when she told me the story of the funny couple and their passion for tea. I am afraid to use them because, in my thoughts, when they are gone, so too is the last present I will ever receive from her. However, I also realize that she would have wanted me to enjoy them and instead hold on to the memory, just as I do with her.
This week I set out on mission and found a tea kettle. With its Japanese lines, and cast iron material, not something I would have chosen otherwise, but seemingly perfect for this tea ceremony. Today, I cleaned and worked and when it was time for a break I heated the water, primed the teapot, opened the beautiful packaging and thought of my sister as the tea seeped.
As I savored the complexity of the favors, I remembered my sister and realized that this tea; that is flowery, with hints of sweetness and tartness represents her so well. And I enjoyed it immensely.
She would be thrilled that you enjoyed it and thought of her. xo
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