New York City Tea Party

"There is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a chest of tea."

  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Please press play to hear music to accompany your read.)

It is twenty-five years from now. I'm sitting down for tea across from her. She is a beautiful woman both inside and out and, although we've had our bouts of ups and downs, we've made it to the other side. We actually feel more like friends than mother and daughter. 

She may or may not be married, has a career she is proud of and we discuss all of the little happies in her life that make it big. Hearing them makes me smile because I too can feel the tight pull on my heart as I recall those own small happies in my life. 

I hope she likes trying new and interesting things like me; such as, a flavor of tea--maybe Sparrow's Soul or Chocolate Caramel. And while we delicately sip our tea, I hope we talk about multiple annual trips into the city for her birthday tea parties as broad grins spread across our faces recounting the stories that seem as if they just happened yesterday.

I'm sure she'd remember how anxious with anticipation her big brother was once we arrived in the city.

And I am quite certain she'll recall holding her Daddy's hand as we walked most of the way together to our annual tea spot

before the boys eventually venture off to visit the MoMa and we turn down the corner to our annual spot, Alice's Tea Cup.

One of us will remember that this particular year, her second birthday, she was finally able to wear the fairy wings that hang by the front door as you enter this magical place.

And having glittery fairy dust offered to sprinkle on her shoulders

after being asked her to close her eyes tight and make a wish to which we got this.....

After our special sprinkling we then waited patiently for our food to arrive. 


There were some tears, tantrums, and lots of frustrated wriggling and running away, but my hope is that the cream of optimism will rise to the top and, years from now, I won't even recall these minor incidents.

I will recall the big smiles on our faces as we enjoyed taking photos of our fun hats. 

(Our babysitter extraordinaire, Kathleen, who is multi-talented, and 

helps most of my creative dreams come true.)

We will talk about how special it is that Grammy makes such a long trip to be at our annual tea parties and how they just wouldn't be the same without her. 

(Kathleen and Mom's hat by my favorite fascinator designer, Amarmi.)

We will remember practicing drinking tea out of beautiful fine china.

but found we preferred drinking Mommy's pancake syrup out of fine ramekin bowls.

We will recall trying on each other's fancy tea hats. 

(Emerson's gorgeous hat also by Amarmi.)

(My hat designed by Krown Creations & Celebrations on etsy.)

 and I am undoubtedly sure that she will remember birthday cupcakes. 

singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles.

and birthday cakes because life is just too short to make a heart-wrenching decision between pretty purply-swirled cake and blue-iced cupcakes.

I hope we laugh about taking fifty photos outside the tea room because the lighting was so good and relish in the fact that we may have forgotten some of the memories if it hadn't been for those very photos.

I will also quietly recall how this was one of the last special moments we had where she was the baby of the family.

I hope we are still in touch with Kathleen and know her own kids.

And, even more, I hope Emerson can remember just how much she was loved by her.

I know I will.

We will talk about meeting back up with Daddy and Big Brother to fill them in on our adventures while sharing NY bagels, chocolate milk and our thoughts on pigeons.

And how there were always more pictures.

As we continue to drink our tea that is getting lukewarm from long conversation, I hope that we only smile looking back through the windows of our past. 

Me with memories of that sweetly stubborn, tender-hearted girl with blue frosting on her mouth and her with childhood memories that she only wants to make better for her own beautiful daughter. 

Emerson, I love you. 

     I love the way you smile at me and say my name. 

          I relish your tender kisses and tight squeezes. 

Although you challenge me with your independent "I do it!"'s to most everything, it brings me joy to know I am raising a strong, independent girl who will always be brave enough to stand on her own two feet. 

My biggest wish is that we will continue to build a mutual respect for each other and our differences and that one day we will be able to enjoy a cup of tea. Not only as mother and daughter but as good friends. 

I celebrate you today and every day my sweet, sweet girl!

"A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give."

-Anonymous