With Mother’s Day right around the corner, many have Moms on the mind. Especially when it comes to tea, many agree that many mothers have an important role in the love of tea.
Thank you for sharing these heartfelt memories of mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, and of tea.
- “I have been very emotional about tea lately. My son’s school just had a Kentucky Derby themed gala where all the ladies wore fancy dress and big hats. While getting ready for the event I kept thinking of my Grandmom, who passed in October and how we used to go to tea parties and wear the big hats too. Then at the event I won a raffle basket with a teapot and sugar/creamer set. I had to try hard to hold back those tears. Grandmom was with me having a grand time after all.”-Laurie W.
- “My mom passed away when I was ten, but I do remember her making sun tea every summer. However, I’ve started some wonderful tea-focused traditions with my daughter, who is seven.” -Colleen O. from Maryland
- “My mother, Doris Dexter, as most mothers, was a very special lady. A petite woman who bore 12 children-8 sons and 4 daughters- same as her mother Martha Washington Andrews. I am the 11th child of my mother, just as she was the 11th child in her family. As a single parent in the 1950s, she raised us with discipline and lots of love and laughter. She went without to provide for us. She introduced me to tea. Tea time was not fancy, just a simple mug or ironstone cup and saucer. Before she died in 1987 she and I had great times in the different cities that I lived in. She stayed with me in England for a summer, sipping tea at home and various tea rooms. We travelled to France, where we probably sipped more wine than tea. She encouraged me in all my endeavors and told me that being courteous would open many doors for me. She was right. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her and feel the love that she gave to me.” –Pearl Dexter
- “My mom has always been a coffee drinker. She knew I didn’t like the taste of coffee and bought me a basket full of teas to try. I’ve been hooked for over 35 years.” -Tami F.
- “When I was in High School (many years ago!), I took a gourmet foods class and for one of the assignments, I wrote a report on tea. I included the tea growing regions, the history of tea, the different tea processes – you get the picture. Of course I received an A+, and a few days later my mother came upon the report sitting out on my desk. She got quite a chuckle over the teacher’s comment below my grade “Becky, I’ve learned more about tea than I ever wanted to know!”
Well, my Mom read the report, and has been enthralled with all things tea ever since! She gives tea talks and has quite the tea collection. In fact, Pearl Dexter (Founder of Tea Magazine) wrote an article about a tea talk my mother gave at her alma mater – it appeared in the Tea Magazine Spring 2011 issue, and featured photographs taken by me of some of her tea sets and pieces. Definitely one of the larger feathers in Mom’s bonnet.” -Becky R. - “Maman always would make a cup of Orange Pekoe in the afternoon during a break from her housework. She’d brew a cup, then put the tea bag in a baby food jar to use again the next day. I guess I learned to love tea AND to be thrifty from her.” -Chloe J.
- “My Irish grand mother gave me “milky tea” until I was able to make it for myself. Now I enjoy many types of tea (recently discovered white tea) but a nice black tea with a good splash of milk is my go to in the morning, in the afternoon and even before bed.” -Cailin L.
- “I always remember be sick and having tea with milk while watching “Taxi” when I couldn’t sleep. This now has evolved into my enjoying berry zinger when I feel under the weather and Chamomile when I need to relax.” -Stephanie M.
- “[My mom] got me started on my teapot collection, too. Tea is still a great comfort from my late mom.” -Liz G.
- “She’s gone ten years this July now, though. She made tea for us when we came home from school everyday – gave me a love for teatime from elementary school” – Kathryn R.
Many thanks to the special ladies in your lives, be it your mother, aunt, friend, sister- for all that you have done for us, and for sharing your love of tea. Family or not, sitting quietly together or laughing out loud, as long as cups of tea are in hands, it creates a special moment.
Happy Mother’s Day! Did mom shape your love of tea? Share your story in the comments below!
Presented by SerendipTEA’s Floral Teas
