Fine China

When I was a little girl, Mom used to have fancy suppers. The food was not fancy, but our dresses were. She would let us pretend we were fine dining. The best part was my father, and she would participate too. It thrilled us, girls when dad came down the stairs in his suit and mom in a ball gown. I am guessing mom laid down the law to dad and told him he better participate, but we never knew it. He played along as if he was everyone’s prince charming because…he was.

Mom would serve our “fancy meal” on whatever dishes she had at the time. It wasn’t long before she began collecting fine china. Nevertheless, she always told us, “China is for special people, not special occasions; So, use it often, girls.”

My wedding china was given to me by an older couple who passed on their china to us, hoping we would add more meals to its already fifty years. It’s funny, in haste, I gave it away once. Not sure what I was thinking? A year later, the person returned it; in so doing, they reminded me not to give away something that hasn’t had time to become cherished. Today, it’s the most valued set I own. I love how the Lord sends people to correct us when we have strayed, even in something as simple as fine china.

I have another group that my mother collected piece by piece from a local grocery store. It is twenty-three years old. And yet, I still have my heart set on her priceless set of china that’s over fifty years old. During their first years in Pierre, SD, it was given to her by a dear church member who is in Heaven now.

I have an eye for antiques; I guess that’s why I love fine china; it grows old with you.

Visiting some friends a few weeks ago, I was sitting in her kitchen when I caught a glimpse of her dishes in the China cabinet. It was elegant white porcelain with a soft gray scroll design around the borders. I told her how lovely it was. She politely said, “Thank you.”

Not too long after our visit, she re-visited the topic of her fine china, mentioning that she had never used it. She said, “Johnny and I have been married eight years, and we have never used our dinnerware. I am scared to use it. What if I break a piece?” I thought, “All the more valuable.” but I didn’t say it.

I almost let the opportunity pass without comment, but then I decided this moment was too significant to miss. I kindly spoke up. I said, “Fine china is meant to be used, not simply observed. There is nothing to be treasured in observation. It is in use that one will find value. One day your daughter will have your china. It will be all the special meals and holidays that Mommy pulled out her fine china and made supper extra special that she will recall. When she is grown, a smile will creep to her face when she sees the place setting of twelve is missing the cup and saucer. Her eyes will glisten as she remembers her little hands slipping at Easter and the tea cup hitting the floor.” I explained to my friend that its in those types of occasions that make fine china fine, not in the brand Mikasa.

Taking time to wash each plate by hand and sharing a sink full of dirty dinnerware will be time well spent through the years. Drying and putting away the delicate painted pattern will be highlighted to our children.

Teaching our little girls to properly set a table and how to place a cloth napkin in their laps are manners that get lost in disposable plastic plates. I can remember watching my dad pull my mother’s chair out to sit down at the table. Although he would do that anyway, he played dress-up right along with us. I had no idea the storybook I was captured in growing up; even still, I am thankful for it today.

A few days ago, I was fixing supper, busy with evening chores, when I received a picture from my friend. Her table was set with the most beautiful china, and little faces beamed with excitement! Her daughter Abby, five, said, “I am so excited to eat off a real fancy plate!” Henry, who is two, didn’t know what was happening, but he was happy nonetheless!

My kitchen got a little dusty as I looked at that picture, thinking to myself, “I helped someone.” It wasn’t anything monumental, but it was to her. For her, it was a moment that would change the course of her kitchen table for many meals to come. It was a step that brought her family even closer because it created a memory for her children to cherish as they grow older.

There was no fanfare or red carpet all those evenings long ago when my mom would dress us up for supper. It was a tiny apartment with ugly carpet. She didn’t even own China at the time, but to two little girls in play dresses, we felt like the belle of the ball, eating ordinary meals by candlelight, feeling just as fine as fine china.

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“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend..” Proverbs 27:17

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