Nutcracker Sweet

During the holiday season of the mid nineties, my Mother began to bring home something special from the grocery store. Nutcracker Sweet tea. I have always been one for tea and other warm drinks but this particular tea was special. It smelled of gentle spices, vanilla, carmel and fairie dust. The box was decorated with magical scenes from the endearing story. This was truly a special tea.

But I was not allowed to have any. You see, Nutcracker Sweet had caffeine as one of the ingredients. So as a young child I would take the box and dream about the day I would be able to taste the tea that so enchanted me.

A year or so later I captured the scent of this wonderful mystery by abducting a single bag and hiding it in a small tin I kept in my room. Now I could visit this holiday treat whenever I remembered to check the tin. The scent kept for years and brought a smile to my face until the year I was declared old enough to try the tea for myself.

I can still remember the anticipation and excitement of that first time I took a sip of that special tea. After years of memorizing the scent and waiting to discover the taste, it was now time. It was not like the taste of coffee, who's alluring smell opposes the strong taste. Tasting Nutcracker Sweet was different. The taste of the tea equaled the quality of the aroma. It was worth it. My parents, who had withheld the treat for years, came through on their promise and it was a joy.

I did not despise the years of waiting. Those years built a story, created a memory and developed a certain level of respect.

And now, fifteen years later, I get to enjoy this holiday treat, as one enjoys an old friend's company.

I recalled this memory tonight as the teapot sung and I dropped the bag of Nutcracker Sweet in my mug. It's funny how it is so easy to learn from one experience and so difficult to apply the same lesson to other areas of our lives. How many times do I pine away for something I cannot have? How many times do I resent God's direction or diversion from things that I think will satisfy me now? How many times do I choose to steal a taste of things meant to be savored at a later time? Why is it so hard to simply enjoy the moment and cherish the opportunities set before us, knowing a great story is lived moment by moment?

What is it that you are enchanted with? Is it a career? A relationship? A home? A degree? A family? Independence? Respect? Power? Money? Fame?

Are there areas of your life or your story that you are delighted to faithfully watch unfold? Do you wait with eager anticipation and an open heart or do you scheme a way to get it now?

What is something that you have built a story with? What is your Nutcracker Sweet?

Ardently,

Anna