Ya-Ya’s Tea-Board

I was thinking a lot about the past today. I let my thoughts dwell on memories of times long gone.

My grandmother passed away today. She fell asleep peacefully. It came as a blessing and was what she had wished to happen. She led a fulfilled life and would have been 91 years old next month.

In honour of her life, my thoughts were with her today and I reflected on the moments I remember spending with her. As is often the case in situations like this, I wish I had been more present. But we did spend a good amount of time together. Mostly I remember her cooking. I liked her food very much.

I drank some old pu-erh to celebrate her life and everything she has accomplished. At about the 3rd infusion, I realized that there is a connection between an accomplished life and a good old tea. Like a human being, a tea tree goes through times of struggle and times that are rich and abundant. It is the times of struggle that imbue that special character, the depth and individual beauty. While humans bring joy throughout their lifetime, for tea the moment of giving happens when the leaves go through their last moments. When you put them into your teapot, they are gathered for one last service, the culmination of their life on the tree. We are lucky to receive that gift - so we better be fully present and honour this moment.

This entry is dedicated to you, grandma. May your soul be liberated and with us. I will be thinking about you…