Invitation to Tea

The Tea Party 

We were rushing to get to the ferry on time, and still be able to stop by and visit a friend on the way. There was only 30 minutes available so it would be a quick exchange of hellos and then be on our way. Pulling into the driveway I left the car parked at an odd angle not worrying about it because we would soon be heading out. Rush, rush, rush, busy, busy, not really listening with my heart, instead I was concentrating on the time factor. Ringing the doorbell I could hear the children dashing down the stairs to come and greet us. We stepped inside and headed up the stairs…

The children’s table was set with teacups and saucers, fresh scones had been baked, the tea was brewing and orange juice was ready. We had come to chit chat and instead sank into the wonder of stopping, stepping aside, sitting together on the floor ,3 adults and 5 children, and having a tea party. It wasn’t that the time was extended but it invited me to be fully present and savour every one of those 30 minutes. When friends come to visit you must have a tea party my friend said. Tea parties mean wearing a hat, feather boas and knowing that this is reality, not pretend! I had stepped out of my put together world and invited out the bohemian who lives inside to enjoy the serendipity that only God can present. Sitting on the floor, at the same level as the children in their yellow, and pink plastic chairs we all giggled in between drinking our “tea”. Oh I loved the beauty of feeling so free, letting the child within dance, be amazed at the wide-eyed wonder in each one, to forget the rush and be fully present. I didn’t know I had been invited to this party until I arrived. I am always amazed at the knowledge these children of tender years have accumulated inside, at the delight I feel when they reach out to touch and in turn let me embrace them. Freedom from expectations is gone, freedom to be alive, with abandon. No wonder we are reminded by Jesus to be like little children – there is a freedom we need to be reminded of.

Two quotes come to mind as I see this picture again. Words that tug and pull at the longing to be so alive, to inhale everything I can about living with abandon and then to really live that way.

The tragedy of life is not the fact of death, but in what dies inside while we live
Norman Cousins

Isn’t it better to feel young somewhere than to feel old everywhere
Mrs. Fischer in Enchanted April

Living from the center of a heart that’s free the song -This is The Life

Oh yes I had been wasting time with my sister-in-law and little niece for a week and our tea party let me linger just a little longer at wasting time with people I love!