I was raised on tea. From early in life the day could be marked by two things : the call to prayer and tea time.
At home it was morning tea with breakfast and afternoon tea with Nice or Digestive biscuits. At school it was robust desi chai that made up for the terrible boarding school food.
No matter the day everything felt better after you had tea.
And then I had my own family.
Beginning in early fall, when twilight comes early and the golden glow of autumn colors our world, we begin to have evening tea time.
Just like growing up, tea is a ritual that marks the day.
Around 9 pm, whoever is in the house at the time gathers and we drink tea out of sturdy mugs. It could be Earl Grey tea with its oil of bergamot distinctive flavor. It could be mint tea. It could be regular– which for us means a strong Irish Breakfast tea. It could be a fruity passion tea. No matter the kind it’s tea and we are gathered together.
The day could have held sorrow or joy, tears or anger, frustration or impatience — or perhaps all of those things. We still gather for tea.
And so I love this picture, taken at our cottage in Rockport. And I love the quote on the picture as well. Because something remarkable happens when you sit down for a cup of tea.
Thanks so much for being a part of Communicating Across Boundaries and today may you have the joy of drinking tea.
Photo courtesy of Stefanie Sevim Gardner/Word art by Marilyn Gardner
