"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Healing Power Of Tea ~

This is the teapot / teacup combo I bought as a practical souvenir while in Hawaii a few years ago.
The teapot holds enough for two cups of tea . This is a good thing ( as Martha Stewart might say ) because everyone knows a person cannot have just one cup of tea when tea is the healing beverage of choice.
Our granddaughter was in the hospital recently for almost a week, and I was there with her. After 3 nights spent with her in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, my husband sat with her for a few hours while I went home to care for the animals, freshen up, and pack some things to keep me occupied while she slept. I also packed this teapot / teacup, and I am so glad I did. I think the healing power of hot tea and the simple act of sitting up, stirring the sugar in, and sipping the tea went a long way towards her getting out of the hospital a day or so earlier.
"Designed In Hawaii ". Our granddaughter needed to take in more fluids, but water does not appeal to her and the apple juice she loves was upsetting her stomach. I made her pot after pot of peppermint tea and gave her all the sugar she wanted, to stir into the tea. She told me "I like to stir the sugar in " and smiled. She also told me she liked the sound of the spoon clinking as she stirred. She loves peppermint tea with lots of sugar, so she drank a lot of tea. And it helped. I also made her get out of bed .I pulled up a side table in the hospital room , placed it on a rug I finished locker-hooking while I was there and set up a chair from the other side of the hospital room. A perfect tea table just for her !

I had her sit up and out of bed for her meals, and gave her play-dough, things to color, comforting and calming children's DVD's to watch. She had her doll and stuffed animals for company too. This did make a difference ! We went home sooner than the doctor thought we would and we were both very happy to be home. ( Our granddaughter is completely well & healthy now. )

How many times have you read in books or seen in movies people who are traumatized being offered or served tea ? Just the words "would you like a cup of tea" seem to evoke a coziness and sense of well-being in me. But practically, the hot peppermint tea, and yes, the sugar, were restorative. I am thinking from now on when I have friends or family in the hospital, I am going to show up with a teapot, a nice teacup, healing teas, maybe a snack to go with it, and leave them all behind for the patient to enjoy throughout their hospital stay. It certainly would not hurt , and most likely will go a long way towards their healing. " Come along inside...We'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place." Kenneth Grahame , Wind In The Willows

I am linking with these blogs for Tea~ Time Tuesday :

Martha's Favorites *
Rose Chintz Cottage *
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog *

18 comments:

Timi said...

It's a lovely post!!! I am glad your granddaughter is well now! Kenneth Grahame , Wind In The Willows is one of our favorite books!!! :o)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh this made me so happy that is such good news about your Granddaughter. Peppermint tea works for all that is wrong a calming Grandmother and a cup of tea have lots of powerful medicine. Oh this post just makes me happy. HUGS B

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Kathy. I'm so happy your granddaughter is well now. How lovely to surround her with special treasures during her hospital stay. I'm so pleased the tea with sugar helped her to mend faster. That's a pretty tea pot for two and your rug is beautiful.

Deb said...

Oh, this post is just wonderful. It's so great that you thought this and went with it. Tea is such a healing beverage, especially for the soul. Your grand-daughter is so sweet and I just know she will always remember having tea in the hospital with you. Hugs

Unknown said...

Instead of candy stripers I can just see you as the "tea lady" of the hospitals. I do believe the things that you mentioned helped to get your granddaughter well and I am so glad that she is. Thank you for such a lovely post!

June said...

Tea is a wonderful thing and my Mother used to give it to me when I was sick, too. My oldest and dearest friend and I used to have tea parties, beginning when we were two years old (with both mothers attending). Such good memories. I'm so glad that your granddaughter is better now. She looks like a dear child!

Debbie said...

What a sweet post. Kathy, you are such a wonderful grandmother I can take lessons from you. Small things are not so small, it's true. I'm so happy for you all that her experience was not a bad one, and that she is home with family now and has good memories of her time with you. I like tea too.
Debbie

Bernideen said...

Your Tea For One is really sweet. I think you are very knowledgeable about "nursing" here and have some real insights!!

Connie said...

Wonderful post, Kathy! I believe in the healing power of tea too and drink some everyday. I'm sure the tea and other comforts you brought in for your granddaughter helped her to feel better more quickly. Your granddaughter is very lucky to have such a wise and devoted grandmother.

Martha's Favorites said...

What a wonderful post! The love of a Grandmother and a cup of tea was what she need. I am so glad that she is doing well. By the way, great tea pot! Sending hugs to that adorable Grandchild. Blessings, Martha

Anonymous said...

I have never liked tea, other than sun tea. But the other day I wasn't feeling well (I have been in a long stretch of yuckiness) and was at the store and grabbed one called "Tension Tamer". Lo and behold, I like it! :) I've been drinking a cup every day. Glad it worked for your granddaughter. :)

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Kathy,
I am so glad your little grandaughter is home and well again! You were so wise to take her tea and sugar. She will always remember and be thankful for her wonderful grandmother. Your tea for one set from Hawaii is really cute. Thanks so much for joining me for tea and enjoy your week.

Blessings,
Sandi

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Dear Kathy,
I haven't been here for such a long time that I had forgotten what a lovely blog you have.
I don't drink as much tea as my daughter and tend more toward coffee, but I DO love a cup of tea.
When Mary comes to visit..we chat over a pot of tea, which SHE makes. Like your adorable little granddaughter, give me lots of sugar. I am so pleased to hear she is all well once again.
Like her, I have always hated water and NEVER drank it unless forced. Now I am paying the price.
I have found that always drinking it with a straw helps. Kidney's, I found too late, need lots of plain water to flush them out.

It's going to be a very warm but beautiful day.
Hugs,
Mona

Deanna said...

Such a pretty Tea Cup combo. Blessed that your Granddaughter took to it and stirring sugar.

You're a great Grandma full of love!
God bless and may your Summer start to cool, 'cauz Autumn is on her way.

grins,
d

Lady Jane said...

Hi Kathy, Glad your granddaughter is healthy again. I am glad you could be with her. Being alone in a hospital is scary enough for us adults let alone a little girl. You are a great gram!!!

Bee Lady said...

I am so glad your Grandaughter is well now. You are so right about tea. I even use a kettle rather than the microwave for hot water. And my Mom always gave it to us when we had the flu. So I still drink tea for what ails me.

Cindy Bee

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Oh my goodness, I am so glad that she is okay now.

How thoughtful that you are, Kathy. What a blessing it was for you to be there with her. I love the idea of leaving peppermint tea and a pretty teapot/cup with those in the hospital. But you know what really touched me the most? Your rug. How homey and beautiful.

You are awesome!

Kathy M.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

The English have always known about tea, eh, Kathy? It's a beautiful teapot and I'm sure it helped with Grand's faster recovery. Bless God for His goodness to your family.