Passing the Silver Baton

Polishing silverware is therapeutic.   The task is menial, yet it is conducive to reflection and that is always good, especially at holidays.   My mind drifts to how lovely my mother-in-law’s table looked at Christmastime.  Stella had classy taste.  Her tablecloths were expensive and complimented her china.  But what always impressed me was her silverware.  I inherited it while still a very young mother.  I learned, along with my young daughters, how to care for it and how to set a table properly with it.  It became not only a keepsake, but a tradition in our family.

Through the years, our daughter, Carrie, never complained when I asked her to polish the silverware.  Even through high school and college, she was faithful to provide polished and cleaned table settings of the “First Love” pattern at each plate.  About five years ago, Carrie announced that she had first dibs on grandmother’s silverware.  I was shocked.  She didn’t hate it!  She loved it like me!  Oh, I can see her setting her own table with it in the future and teaching Susanna how to polish silver!  Life is funny that way planting little surprises that find their way trickling through each generation.

My family will start arriving tomorrow and by Friday evening we will all be here to celebrate Christmas.  My homemade Manicotti is defrosting along with my brother-in-law’s sauce recipe and side dishes of meatballs and Sweet Italian Sausage which we’ll serve with a tossed green salad.  Of course we’ll eat it with polished silver!