It's weird, but when this plate broke, it hit me rather hard, leaving me with an unexpected emotional reaction. You see, if you've eaten a meal at our table in the last 20-plus years, you were served food off of one of these plates. I have to admit, when Tammy bought the set I wasn't happy.
We were passing through Springfield Missouri on our way home from Oklahoma, returning from the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop when Tammy went into a store I was unfamiliar with at the time, Tuesday Morning. She came out with the complete set of dishes, including saucers, coffee cups, soup bowls, the whole kit & caboodle. The last thing I wanted to do was load these up in our minivan.
But, Tammy knew, if were were going to practice hospitality properly, we needed something presentable like these. Over time, I grew to appreciate the set and I can admit, I'm truly glad Tammy picked the set up.
When this plate broke, it reminded me instantly of the many friends and dozens of guests we had served meals to on these plates over the years. The laughter, the tears, the comings & goings of life, all passed over these plates like a change of seasons. We've bonded with people and shared life around a number of tables and in many rooms in several houses, meeting new friends and saying good bye to others, but all in the presence of these plates.
It's amazing how something so simple as a broken plate has the power to remind one of the depth of fellowship and its role in our life. I imagine over time, each of these plates will finally find their way to the garbage, but not before they leave their mark.
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