Table setting at Garden Court August 2009

An Unexpected Gift…

September 2009

 

Long ago, my mother impressed on me the importance, value, and fun related to setting the table for dinner. Over the years, this particular activity has been a conduit for a fair amount of my creative energy.  In fact, I see the dining table as a form of blank canvas, awaiting the arrival of cloths, dishes, cutlery, and of course, fine food! And yes, I believe that paying attention to this detail has an impact on the whole experience of sharing a meal. Did you know, for example, that if the blade of the knife is turned away from the plate, you are not welcome at that table? Honestly, it can be enough to put me off my feed!

When you view the picture below, I hope you feel invited to my table, so to speak.   But please, take a careful look at the water goblets…

Several years ago while I was working as the Palliative Care Chaplain at Sunnybrook HSC in Toronto, I met a woman – let’s call her Lucy.  Her husband was gravely ill with cancer and I was giving Lucy a tour of the palliative care unit.  During the tour, she revealed to me that she, too, was struggling with a diagnosis of cancer.  Several days following the tour, Lucy’s husband – let’s call him Jim – was admitted to the Palliative Care Unit and sadly, he died within a few weeks.

Several years later, I received a phone call from a lawyer’s office in Toronto explaining that they had a package they needed to send to me.  When the package arrived, I opened it to discover a box of water goblets and a hand written card:

Dear Kathy:

 

This is your very long overdue house warming present. Hope you are still happy in your new home.

 

I also want to thank you for all your support…

 

I’d like to call you and ask you to pop in for a visit – if you do that sort of thing – so I can thank you properly.

 

Thank you again.

 

Lucy

Although several years had passed since I had encountered Lucy and Jim, I remembered them instantly. What I hadn’t (and couldn’t have) known was that Lucy had died in 2007, a year or so after Jim.  The wrapped gift box had been among her belongings and the Trustee of her estate had to unwrap the gift, piece together who was meant to receive it, and then re-wrap and send it.

Auspiciously, the box contained 6 glasses, but 2 of them had been smashed in transit.

Whenever I take the 4 remaining glasses out of the china cabinet, I place them with great care, remembering fondly my encounter with Lucy and Jim. Depending on my guests, I will share the story of the lost goblets – the 4 that found their way to me and the 2 that arrived in a different state altogether.

Thank you, Lucy, for your great thoughtfulness and generosity.  I’m so sorry we didn’t get to meet again, but you and your beloved Jim are forever etched among the memories of my heart.  May you both be at peace. Cheers!