The meaning we attach to our ‘stuff’

For my 21st birthday my aunt inspired me to start my own Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge fine bone china collection. Over the years it has grown and I have a wonderful complete tea set. Yes, I actually use it. Every day in fact. I’m not a big rap for keeping stuff for the right occasion. The occasion is now. I’m alive today and by God I’m using it! There will be no dust settling on these little treasures.

The four seasons collection came with a set of mugs. I love those mugs. The handle is perfect, the lip on the cup is exactly the right thickness and sits on my bottom lip just so. Yes I love it! It’s bigger than a tea cup and not as big as a coffee mug. It fits my favourite espresso capsule with my dash of almond milk superbly. Over the course of 33 years, I had broken two mugs ….. until last week. I dropped a flask of home made pumpkin soup and it landed on a mug. Now I have only one. 

Here’s where it gets distressing (yes, first world problem I hear you say? That’s true!.)  So now there is only one left. Oh no. It was ok when I had two. One in use and one in the dishwasher. One could break and I still had one. But not now. Not so easy to replace either, for years they have just not been available. I am still missing one floral bouquet and just can’t get it.

It wasn’t about the china. It was the meaning attached to my beautiful collection in my lovely cabinet. The love that came with each gift that was given by family and friends over the years. The joy I had in bringing out the cups and plates for friends and family. Adorning those little plates with Mum’s lemon tarts and pouring the tea and making the coffee for those I love. My china is like my family. There is memory and meaning in each little cup. My girlfriends Dale and Marie and both my Grans have drunk from these cups. They are no longer with us but they loved that china!

So I did what any crazy woman would do, I complained loudly to those who will listen during lockdown …. my poor husband and daughter got the full rant on it. I checked out ebay and found them in the UK, over $200 for a set and then add postage ….. yeah forget it! Rant over.

I get a call a few days later from my daughter. She found a set on gumtree ……. she got them for me as a Christmas gift. She totally gets my love for the collection of fine bone china. ‘You wanna know why I went all out to get those mugs Mum? Because I love you. I appreciate you and I’m so grateful for who you are to me in my life. I know you don’t need them but I really want you to have them. You rock Mum.’ I cried. I could feel the powerful love that came with the gift. Gab’s love language is gift giiving. She always chooses the best gift, wraps it beautifully and gives it with 100% love. Her intention is so pure.

Sometimes there are just no words, only intention and meaning. So my average of breaking one mug every 10 years is not so bad I suppose. I can safely live into my nineties before I break the rest now! lol! x

What meaning do you attach to your ’stuff’? Join the conversation below. I’m curious, as always!