Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Teacup-a-Story

There’s a Gracious Hospital-i-Tea Blog-a-Thon being hosted on the Gracious Hospitality blog. This week’s theme is Teacup-a-Story. We’re asked to ”share a picture of your favorite teacup and saucer; describe it and tell its history (or make up a story about its past). Why is it meaningful to you? This would be a good place to share about the details of your teacup collection if you have one.



I thought I’d join in although I don’t have a teacup collection per se. My special teacup given to me by my friend Jo-Ann is the story of a life lesson learned. This little set is English bone china in the Royal Adderley “Mayflower” pattern.



When my first husband and I divorced, I moved home to N.C. from Virginia and bought a house next to Jo-Ann’s in Wilmington. The story of my first marriage isn’t important, but the resulting feelings I had are.

I was afraid of people (men especially) and the few friends I was allowed to have turned out to be a little too “friendly” with my husband; we’ll leave it at that as I’m sure you can read between the lines. The result was that I felt I must be the most horrible woman on the planet—someone who couldn’t keep her husband or friends. My children and I moved into our new home and I went into a form of hiding, going to work, taking care of the kids, and finding solace only in my books late at night when they were asleep.

I bought one of those old-fashioned reel lawnmowers—the kind where the only power source is you pushing it. Since I didn’t even know how to use a screwdriver, I figured it would be best not to mess with any contraption involving potential mechanical fiddling around.


The very first day I was out pushing and pulling that wacky lawnmower up and down my yard. Jo-Ann came out of her house next door, introduced herself, and asked if I’d like to borrow her electric lawnmower. I said thanks but no. Jo-Ann said, “I think you’re crazy, but if you change your mind, just come on over.” I didn’t.

All the neighbors kept coming over offering the use of their lawnmowers but I kept saying no. There’s another story in all this but, essentially, Jo-Ann and everyone in our neighborhood drew me out of my isolated life. Over time, I learned to relax and trust people again.

Jo-Ann, Donna (who sent me the flowers the other day), and my special friend Denny who died last year at my birthday all helped me learn the skills I needed to survive as a single mother. And they taught me what true friendship means.

One day after her mother died, Jo-Ann gifted me with a teacup and saucer from her mother’s collection. She said that she knew I would respect and honor this special treasure and that maybe it would remind me to care as much for myself.



Today I’m using Jo-Ann’s gift and treating myself to tea and one of the Strawberry Meringue Cookies I made this morning (recipe from Southern Lady magazine, March/April 2008 issue). I am now happily married to a wonderful and trustworthy man, blessed with happy and healthy grown children, and I’m honored to have friends I can trust. My life is full of genuine and honest love; I am very grateful.

And that’s my teacup story.

31 comments:

a pink-bee said...

What a wonderful teacup story of TRUE friendship :) Thanks for sharing :)
Enjoy your tea :) Those treats look yummy :)
crystal
oxox

Kristie said...

That's a good story, June. I love you.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

That tea cup does indeed hold a very dear and heartfelt history, June, and symbolizes so much! Thank you for sharing.
True love and friendship are so precious, yet not always easy to find. I'm glad you ultimately found both!
Hugs, Pat

Anonymous said...

what a lovely tea cup story. I love you Junie Moon!!! I am so glad you have love and friendship in your life. someday maybe we can have tea together! Until then I'll just keep virtually barging in and asking if there are any lace cookies leftover??

Maggie said...

As a single girl, I love my reel mower and believe that I get a workout because of it. It also reduces the carbon footprint. Woot!

Anonymous said...

Painful story to read, June. But I am happy to hear that you have happiness, safety, and security now.

Marcie said...

Junie, What a very personal and meaningful story you have connected with that lovely teacup. Thank you for sharing that glimpse into your heart!

iSew said...

Wonderful. So glad you were drawn out. What would we do without you to inspire?

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Our history sounds an awful lot alike. I am glad both our stories had happy endings :-) You are a lovely person.

((hugs)) Rosie

Piecake said...

The twists and turns of real live are amazing. I think that's why I love blogs. Thank you for sharing your cup of tea!

La Tea Dah said...

And what a beautiful teacup story it is. Thank you so much for sharing from your heart. Your teacup is beautiful and the caring, sharing love behind it is even more precious. How special that you have a tangible object to remind you each time you see if of your worth and of the love and affection of true friends. Thank you so much for participating in the Gracious Hospitality blog-a-thon. You have blessed my day. Thank you.

LaTeaDah

Thimbleanna said...

Gosh June, how 'bout a little tear-jerker warning at the beginning of your posts? Now I'm sniffling! What a beautiful story. I don't have a teacup, but now I want one!

Carrie said...

Thanks for sharing your story.

Mom IsAmagpie said...

Thank you for sharing that story. It's amazing how much people can endure, but in the end turn out far more fabulous than before. I'm so happy you have a Joanne, and have been able to move on to a happier place in life.

ellen said...

Thank you for such a beautiful post. I am always amazed and humbled by your generous and gentle spirit. Your writing does enrich my day.

The Wooden Spool said...

What a dear teacup, and what a brave, encouraging woman you are! So glad you carried on, and found your life again! Happy day! Aren't teacups the sweetest thing...i have a few from my grandmothers that remind me of them each time I pick one up, or look at it.

rohanknitter said...

That is a wonderful (and inspiring) story - Jo-Ann sounds like a wonderful lady.

Anonymous said...

I was both touched and quite saddened by your story. It's almost hard to believe a kind and generous soul like you could ever experience betrayal. But it is clear that the sun shines brightly on you and your family now. And Jo Ann sounds like a true friend indeed.

Kim Campbell said...

That's a wonderful story and it gives hope.

Kristi said...

Hi June,
Sorry I've been so out of touch recently. I've been so focused on my son's potty training. Oh, he's totally trained now, by the way.

I hope you are feeling better and that your tests come up negative (nothing bad).

What a bitter sweet story.

There are some things that happen to women that stay with us a long time and affect us greatly. Glad you had good and patient friends to help you heal. Some people aren't so understanding.

Take care and thanks for all of your lovely posts.

Anonymous said...

I can see why you love your tea cup and saucer so much.

Unknown said...

June truly a lovely story! And I would have loved to been your neighbor! Oh...what fun we would have had over tea!
Much love,
Robyn

Gina E. said...

Lovely cup with an even lovelier history!

Vee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vee said...

That's as heartwarming a teacup story as I've ever read. There's nothing better than a teacup given by a friend.

(Sorry about the delete...can't spell!)

Becky K. said...

That is such a great story. I am so glad that I "happened" over here today.

Becky K.

Anonymous said...

Oh that is a wonderful story. I'm so glad that you had neighbors who loved you enough to keep trying...

Unknown said...

June, I am so glad you found true friendship and love. Of all the people I know, you are one of the most genuine and caring, and you definitely deserve it!

Beth Leintz said...

What a nice heartwarming story- and its so nice that you USE your teacup and enjoy it, instead of "saving" it. Your strawberry meringues look delish!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story, June. That you were able to find sunshine and daily joyfulness after tough suffering...well, that's a pretty big deal. With so many stories of endless suffering all around us, I'm always so grateful to hear about the joyous bits. So thank you. :)

Rue said...

Beautiful teacup and a touching story with a happy ending attached :) Those are the best kind aren't they?

Rue :)