Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tea Time Tuesday - Don't Hide in the China Cabinet!

It's Tea Time Tuesday again!  Last week, I was so sad after the sudden loss of my dear cat that I just didn't feel up to participating, but I've looked forward to getting back into the fun today as a little "pick me up" in the middle of the week.

Once again I am so thankful for the gracious ladies who host these wonderful tea-themed memes and I am participating in the following tea parties:

Martha's Favorites
Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations
The Plumed Pen
Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Artful Affirmations

Today I am showcasing a special little tea cup that is brand new to my collection:


Isn't it a sweet little cup?  I think it must have been originally a child's toy as it is very tiny.  The little bird on the handle is just so cute and very delicately fashioned.  A truly whimsical little piece!

It was given to me by a very special friend as a birthday gift a few weeks ago.  I have no idea if it has any market value ... the mark on the bottom of the saucer is almost illegible and all that I can read is "hand-painted" and then what looks like half of a symbol of some sort.  But this cup and saucer have great value to me because they were given to me by a dear friend who is going through all kinds of difficult trials right now, yet in the midst of her struggles, she took time to think of me.  

When I look at old pieces of china, it sometimes occurs to me that they are a little bit like us as women!  We can be so delicate and fragile, and yet somehow, we endure the test of time.  Think of all the opportunities that a really old tea cup and saucer would have had to break!  How many times they may have been moved from one building to another!  How many hands have turned them over, some hands frail with arthritis, others full of the klutziness of adolescence.  And yet, these lovely china pieces have endured throughout the years, their exquisite fine details still intact, colours still vibrant, handles still in place.  

And there is a dilemma to be faced with lovely china, isn't there?  If we leave it safe in the china cabinet, surely it is less likely to be broken!  And yet then it will never be enjoyed, it's prettiness will never cheer up another soul who would delight in the pleasure of sipping tea from the delicate cup and admiring the lovely pattern.  And life is like that too ... we can hide ourselves away in the "china cabinet" of life, protecting ourselves from ever being hurt, but then we will never know the joy of sharing our heart with another soul, or reaching out in love to a needy friend.  

So I'm particularly thankful for this sweet little cup and saucer today, because they remind me of a dear friend who hasn't stopped reaching out beyond herself, in spite of the fact that there are days when she probably wishes she could hide away in a corner of a safe china cabinet somewhere.   My prayer for her is that she will make it through this trial without any "chips" or "cracks" and that she will know how very much she is appreciated by her friends.


"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, 
but to reveal to him, his own." 
-Benjamin Disraeli

11 comments:

  1. You are so right. We have to stand the test of time but we have to get out there and enjoy life. You have reminded me to drag that china out more often. I collect tea cups too.

    enjoyed this post.

    Carol-the gardener

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  2. It is like that quote... "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for." I probably messed it up, but that is close. Of course, I can't remember who said it right now, either. Aaaghh.

    I am glad things are a bit sunnier for you this week.

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  3. What a beautiful share for tea time! The teacup is simply adorable and how lovely to have received it from your friend. Like your friend who is going through a trial we all feel better when we reach out to others. Thank you for sharing a lovely and thought-provoking post today.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. Precious!
    Meeting you has been a pleasure

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  5. Thank you for such a lovely post. Your tea cup is really beautiful. The flowers in the cup are gorgeous and that bird is amazing. I think it must be valuable (other than the value of it being a loving gift from a friend!).
    I too, think about who had the cup before me, and if it is a really old cup, how many women had owned it....who bought it new...what their lives were like. I like your analogy of tea cups to life. They are so delicate, yet I have some in great condition that are a century old! Amazing.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  6. What a beautiful and caring post and such a lovely tribute to your friend!
    A gorgeous tea cup too.
    So sad to hear of the loss of your sweet cat,we just lost our beloved dog about a month ago so my heart goes out to you.

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  7. Hi: What a profound post! It really made me think. God is so good to us. We are like a tea cup. I want to thank you for blessing me today. I love that little cup. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

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  8. That cup looks remarkably like one my ex mother in law had! Great post.

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  9. Oh, Ro, I'm sorry that you lost Tiger. I must have missed that post if you mentioned it last week. I know he was getting better, so you must be so shocked as well as saddened by his passing. My condolences to you, sweet friend.

    Your teacup is very beautiful. I love the little bird on the handle.

    And your words are SO profound and wise. Thank you for sharing. Yes, sometimes it's easier to just stay inside our little self and protect ourselves, but then we miss the blessing of reaching out to others.

    My favorite teacup of all (which is actually used in my header) has a broken saucer. But my sweet mother-in-law mended it for me, and now, although I can see the cracks, it is still very useable. In a similar way, God takes the broken pieces of our lives and makes them useable and beautiful again...not perfect, but still lovely.

    Blessings to you today.

    Love,
    Patti

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  10. Dear Ro,

    I am so delighted to have you partake with my little corner of, 'Tuesday And Wednesday Tea Time In Blogland'!.., Your post with the dear little teacups with the bird handle is just delightful!

    ~ Thanks so much for sharing it with us!..,

    My Wednesday teaparty is now up if you'd care to share another 'cuppa'; I'm so delighted to have been able to post some pics of when my dear friend Pam of,'Breath Of Fresh Air', blog recently visited!..,

    Have a marvelous week!

    Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee

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  11. Sorry for the loss of your beloved pet.

    The teacup you shared today is lovely. That little bird on the handle is really precious. Thanks for your wonderful and wise words.

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