Rose Petal Tea

It is an annual ritual. My sweet daughter and I go to the first Farmer's Market of the season and then to the Stratford House to tea. They sat us in a cozy nook with a frilly tablecloth. We opened our menus.

"What kinds of tea do they have here, Mama?"

"We usually get Vanilla Almond." I am a creature of habit. I like knowing that Rose and I get Vanilla Almond tea when we are together. I am all about security and predictability.

"Yes, I know, but what kinds of tea do they have here?" Did I mention that I wasn't feeling adventurous? Rose insisted I read the tea selections. She was firm, yet incredibly polite. I read them. All sixty of them. Sixty. One stood out...

"Rose Petal Tea!" she cried. "Let's try That One!"

That didn't sound at all safe. What if we didn't like it and had to do this all over again in a few minutes? What if...?

When it came, we sniffed at it--unmistakably rosey, it smelled almost pink. We added a little sugar and then we each took a sip. We grinned happily at each other. That hour, in our cozy nook drinking cupfuls of pink roses, giggling over scones and tea sandwiches was truly precious.

"Thank you, honey, for making me try this tea. If you hadn't been here I would have been too scared to try it myself."

"I was a little scared too, Mommy. But it sounded pretty, and you make me brave."

Hey, isn't that what I just said?