I grew up with a teapot on the stove, always. By age 7, I was making my own big mug of tea (with 6 heaping spoonfuls of sugar in those days!). We drank basic Lipton, often with lemon and honey (and onions, if you were sick). I still drink tea all these years later and have expanded well beyond Lipton. I love herbal, black, green, and white. I love the fancy loose-leaf teas and the simple tea bags. I like it plain, or with sugar, lemon, or milk (Almond please). I love how teas are a part of and reflect so many cultures, from the warm, Indian seasonings that make Chai to the strong, British taste of Earl Grey. I simply enjoy tea.
During a recent trip to my own kitchen cabinet, I was struck by the variety of tea. It made me think of us. Human beings. We’re all the same (human) yet represent a collective diversity of everything under the sun. It’s fascinating. It’s valuable. And, it’s ripe for positive curiosity and endless exploration. I am grateful for the many types of tea, and even more grateful for the diverse variety of human beings that make this life so rich and enjoyable.