There is something wonderful about routine. The slow repetitions of the simplest patterns of life seem to accumulate through the years to develop into beautiful things of value called traditions.
Traditions are vessels that can hold some of life’s most precious treasures. The value, however, is never in the act itself, but what the act has come to represent to us: relationship.
Relationship is what turns something as lowly and ignoble as a small, pink, elephant-shaped sugar dish into something precious and meaningful. With each cup of coffee or tea that it has serviced, it has slowly built meaning. Because each cup was offered to share, the tiny elephant has, in our home become a symbol of sharing. So much so, that whenever it is set out, in the morning for breakfast, or mid-day when entertaining guests or loved ones, along with three, or four, or ten cups waiting to do it’s duty, it seems almost to emit a soothing calm, preparing the heart to share once again.
Our pink elephant has moved with us 11 times. In each new place it reminded us of relationships in previous places. It has been with us through the births of our three children. It has entertained guests of all kinds; dear friends, family and strangers. And each morning, it reminds us again of each one. Through all our changes, its consistency brings comfort. Each time it is filled and emptied slowly, it is like our hearts, which are filled up over the course of our days and then shared with those who are close.
