Cherishing Tea Drinking memories.

Japan is famous for the tea drinking ritual, as  coffee in many other countries but my Tea Time Memories are full of natures evening aroma, the soft green feeling of the garden atmosphere, love and sweetness not only of the sugar but of family togetherness.

Tea was not only taken in the garden in summers but in winters it was like….

Teapot on the top of the gas heater, spreading a strange aroma in the

dining room, Oh No! This was no ordinary dining room..it was the pillar of

family strength and unity. My father no less than King Arthur and we the

gallant Knights would gather morning afternoon and evening at the  wooden

table,covered with a multicolored sheet which inspired us at every

sitting...."Honey Tea,  Honey Tea, was King Arthur's command...(my father was

a doctor in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps) Mother would gracefully place the embroidered multicolored Kashmiri teacosy, lay the carefully chosen English teacups with the crimson lining, floral pattern and the golden rim, so elegantly royal. Every evening was a memorable occasion.

Tea time was a religious call..no one could miss it.. it brought us

together, it kept us close, it gave us love, comfort and warmth; it was a

time of sharing thoughts asking advice telling stories and school tales; it

was the best time of my family life. It was always Lipton Yellow Label, our

family favourite.

Winters were so special, our hometown being the hill station Abbottabad named after Major Abbott of the British Army the first Commissioner of the town ( in the 1950s) in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Throughout the year tea was the favourite drink. Mother always used the electric kettle for boiling water "It maintains the flavour" she would say. Fresh is the sweet memory of tea with condensed milk which came in tins from Holland ..it was an imported

item..and tea was so special with it....

the year was 1962,

unforgettable tea sipping in the mountains of Gilgit(a state in the Northern Areas of Pakistan) when my father was

posted there as Agency Surgeon."Tea is there where ever you go" "Mixed or

separate, ma'am?' Oh my thoughts were broken by the waiters voice."er

no..separate" I never could develop the concept of mixed tea (sugar milk and

tea leaves all boiled together) and served so hot..you always burnt your lip

at the first sip. I waited, the pages of my memory turned...'I entered the

dining room, with a laden heart, some days  after mother passed away , this was November 1997;  giving up her courageous battle with the Big C

cancer. My parents no more filling the house with the warmth of love, the table  dusty, chairs dis arranged, my eyes

encountered the half empty shelves, but then I saw ..perhaps what I was

looking for ..the silver teapot on the gas heater, my soul sensed the

familiar aroma ..this time of love , life, and laughter YES. it was tea that

had kept us alive and united in the  family bond..."Your cup is getting

cold" someone said.." Oh NO, My cup will never be cold...as it was always filled

upto the brim..with  the Tea of Life".I relaxed as I slipped deep into the sweet aroma of Lipton yellow Label……