She told me she only had one regret in her life, and opened a cupboard to display a most exquisite teaset. It had been a wedding present, she explained, and had been kept for use only on Special Occasions.
The problem was it had never been used. Whenever a suitable occasion had arisen, there were too many people for her to use it, and she also had a fear of it being broken.
She regretted never having enjoyed using it.
This is my teaset, also received as a wedding present. I had it packaged up in a box waiting for a Special Occasion to use it.
Needless to say, I went home and unpacked it and can now look back and say it has given me many years of pleasure.
Life is too short not to enjoy things.
Margaret xx
Margaret the tea set is lovely – and you’re absolutely right. What a wonderful reminder to all of us – create the special memories and use those treasured items. I bought an old mixing bowl this past summer – it had a chip in it but something about it said it needed to come home with me. The lady at the checkout said, “are you going to use it?” Every time I take it off the shelf, I think of her words-I could set it up high to protect it, but why? I’ll be careful with it, and in the meantime, I feel like I’m a part of all those women who used it before me. And if something happens, I’ll glue it back together and then set it on the shelf. The weather is getting cooler here – you inspired me, time to dust off a tea set given to me many years ago. Always appreciate your thoughts from across the many miles
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful..and I woukd use it, too. And I bet every time you see it you think of your friend.
ReplyDeleteGood to use these items. I use my "best" china everyday and a friend was horrified that I put it in the dishwasher saying the silver would be washed off but I would rather it be used. (Nowadays Doug is my dishwasher).
ReplyDeleteYour tea set is lovely and it's good to know you actually use it. The same goes for other things like "best" clothes and "best" towels etc.. Life is short. Use your lovely things.
ReplyDeleteYour tea set is lovely. I have two sets that I inherited, one from my mother-in-law and one from my husband's aunt. I don't use them every day, but that's because I like my mugs better :) But I use them twice a year, when I have a women's mission group at my house. And I use them for birthdays and special occasions. If I loved the sets I have better than my "modern" mugs, I would use them!
ReplyDeleteI agree. The teaset looks a bit 1950s/1960s. My nana had things like this, I regret not saving more of her treasures.
ReplyDelete