A single idea – the sudden flash of thought – may be worth a million dollars. Robert Collier

It was March 1st 2010, one year after our son Kenneth died of mesothelioma, that the thought of The Daffodil Tea came to mind. In Scotland, where I grew up, many churches would hold “Daffodil Tea” fundraisers for cancer on Saturday mornings in the Springtime. These consisted of tea and scones, or other treats, along with items to buy which were usually hand made.I can brew a pot of tea and bake shortbread and scones – and so it began.

I approached our Pastor at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship with the Daffodil Tea idea and the church sponsored the event. I planned the layout, bought the tablecloths and paper goods and set about making cards etc. The church took care of getting cups and I contacted friends to help. Mary, Polly and Sharon helped “man” the goods table.
This first tea was very simple serving only scones and shortbread and some extra British “ Rich Tea cookies” on the table. Simple daffodils were our floral accents.

This was the first year selling the now famous “I love you” card, the necklaces my sister Sarah sent from NZ and the 3rd psalm bracelet donated by Eileen. These were to be a yearly item for every Daffodil Tea. Kim O, a friend from church, suggested a silent auction and offered to spearhead it. With her organized business mind and artistic flair the Silent Auction was to be an ever growing feature each year. So many donations and creative hands would make this a continuing source of delight.

Melissa (my lovely future daughter in law) and Sheila (my daughter-in-law) helped with the admission table and also serving tea. Many other hands – including Linda and Libby prepared scones and served them with a smile. Friends from work and church attended. I had hoped to raise $1,000 but we raised over $3,000. The sign on the curtain in the Montessori School Hall in South Natick where we held the tea read SUCCESS and our First Daffodil Tea was indeed a SUCCESS!!