The last Daffodil Tea – for everything there is a Season.

I wrote about the first Daffodil Tea on the same night and as the years progressed the recap has been harder to write. It is now three months since the Daffodil Tea and the longest time I have taken to write my recap. The reason is that I find it hard to say goodbye to things, places and people that I have loved deeply.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3 -1.

Every February for the past four years (the first year I started March 1st) I have started acquiring, organizing and making things for the Daffodil Tea. For me it has been a time of intense Joy and great thankfulness. A time to reflect and be thankful for all that I have and have had and at the same time through monies raised a time to give back to others.

The first year it was a time to weep but always there was a time to laugh. This year I believe it is “a time to end.”

It was also hard to keep this decision when I was surrounded by over one hundred wonderful ladies (and the few gentlemen) on May 3rd. It was a morning of laughter and love and lots of hard work. Our wonderful “tea ladies” never got to sit down until the very end and some not until all was packed up and transported back to my house. That was the level of commitment and friendship that there was.

Once again the tables were resplendent with the beautiful china cups giving an air of peace and tranquility of times gone by. The cups were mostly gifts and some bought at various antique shops. So many people wore hats and prizes were given for Most Elegant, Most Creative and Best Hat. The tables were quickly occupied and we even had to set up two additional tables filling the hall to capacity. The food was delicious with thanks once again to Lucy, Kim, and Nancy.

The silent auction had an incredible selection of wonderful hand crafted items and baskets made with loving and creative hands. Lucy, Liz and Victoria continued with their ability to produce the “perfect basket.” Then there was Kim O who has dedicated the past 5 years to produce a silent auction “par excellence” Her gifts, business know how, artistic set up, love and support have enabled me to continue with the often daunting task.

My friend Mary once again knitted and created gifts to buy, a commitment she has had for five years. There were gifts given by local artisans and an incredible Daffodil Tea quilt and hand made Dutch doll given by Susan L and Chrisje respectively. These were raffled and helped to make this the largest amount raised in 5 years.

My sister Sarah came from her home in New Zealand to be with me and help when she knew that this was to be the last Daffodil Tea. Every year as time grew close to “Tea Time” she would call every week for an update. I would send pictures of all my projects and of the total turmoil that my house would be in as time drew close! With the start of the “Daffodil Tea for IMP” Facebook page she relished every new “post.” It was however not like “being there.” Sarah arrived from NZ at 1am on Thursday April 31st and was up making “Sarah’s Scottish Fudge” at 9am and she never stopped until all was washed and cleaned on Sat May 3rd.

She was truly amazed at the turn out and all the people who were involved in making this a success. She of course loved Sadie who had celebrated her 100th birthday this year and who had been a regular attender at most of the teas. Sarah helped total up the monies and could not believe the outpouring of generosity in donations and monies raised. Sarah actually brought donations from her friends in New Zealand who also wanted to be “part of the Daffodil Tea” The on line giving closed as she left for NZ at the beginning of June and the total was $8,571 and the total for five years was $33,085.

Sarah was the first person, after my husband Ron, to know that I was pregnant with Kenneth. She was the first person to see Kenneth, after my husband Ron, when he was born. She was here in Natick the day that our son Kenneth died March 1st 2009. She had a flight booked to come over that March but decided to change her flight and come a week earlier. She arrived the day before Kenneth died and I believe that although he was not conscious he knew that his Auntie Ray was there. Having my sister Sarah (Ray) here for our last Daffodil Tea was a wonderful touch to our last Daffodil Tea held in Kenneth’s memory.

I am so incredibly grateful to my family who have supported and stood by my side these past five years. To my two daughters-in-law Melissa and Sheila who ran the admissions table or teapots every year. They have no idea how much their support meant to me. Sheila returned from Louisiana to help and even brought her friend Kim along. Kenneth wanted to get married so that “Sheila would be part of our family if I die” and she always will be.

My dear friend “Miss Mary” who, each year, stayed with me the night before doing “whatever needed doing.”Our pastor Gina and friends Victoria, Libby and Sharon who were there every year helping. Lucy and Kim who came alongside me three years ago when I broke my arm and never left my side since. Chrisje and Susan who will never know what an impact they have made on my life.

And to my other wonderful friends and parishioners who helped out and created gifts over the years. Willo, Judy, Deanna, Karle, Jamie K, Kate O, Linda G, Joe L, Polly, Matt, Natasha, Sue G, Jim G, Sue W, Lay Ting, Ruth, Emily, Bernadette,Terry, Willo, Maureen, Fiona, Christina, Kim from Louisiana, Linda D, Ilona, Elizabeth, Mike, Tammy, Christine, Pauline from WHS, Ron C, Cathy B, Pauline McM, Sally, Ouvha, Deb and any others whom I may have missed.

As I look over the past years there have been all of these things in my life:

• a time to be born, and a time to die
• a time to plant
• a time to heal;
• a time to build up;
• a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
• a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
• a time to embrace
• a time to seek, and a time to lose;
• a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
• a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
• a time to love
• and a time for Peace.

Looking over these words I realize that most of these things we do not experience in a vacuum. The experiences that have the most profound effect on us are often through friends and family and God’s unfailing love. The success of the Daffodil Teas was because it originated from something that was so awful but God turned it around to give life and love and hope to so many.

My wish is that all those who have walked the journey with me and have drunk tea with us for any of those wonderful five years, have experienced healing, laughter, peace and love. I will continue fundraising in some smaller ways in the future so I will keep the website up and running. I will close with Kenneth’s favorite verse.

• but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
• they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
• they shall run and not be weary,
• they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40-31

I love you all — Heather.