Names of things are important. They tell you what to expect and how to identify something. They can leave you wanting more or turn you away. They can make things stand out or blend in. Names are important.
So of all the names in the world, why is this Eggplant Teapot. Like almost everything else in my life, this has a story.
For as long as I can remember, I have liked the color purple. I like all shades and all varieties. Once, a friend of mine told me that God must love purple too because so many naturally growing wildflowers are purple. I'd have to agree with that statement.
I have to say that I am not one of those crazy people who only wears purple clothing or lives in a purple house and drives a purple car. I don't think I own one stitch of purple garments unless we are counting underwear, my house is green, and my car is black. But, I do have a favorite purple blanket, and maybe a few other things in that color.
About sixteen years ago, I was engaged to my husband (yes, I was a child bride) and a cousin gave me a teapot shaped like an eggplant. Well, for me, this was the perfect gift. I love purple and I love tea. Little did she know that this sparked an obsession that has followed me all of this time.
I now collect eggplants. I have eggplant pictures, eggplant pitchers, eggplant salt shakers, a hand blown glass eggplant from Murano Italy. If it exists and it is purple and shaped like an eggplant, then I have it. The coolest thing about all of my pieces is that each of them has it's own story. Each of them is part of a menagerie of memories.
Stories and memories are just as important to me as my eggplants--maybe more important. Each one gathers and grows and each one is as precious and unique as the last. You can't look at one without remembering and being pulled in to a special feeling.
This is my newest menagerie--my collection of thoughts. And what better place is there to start than with a name?
No comments:
Post a Comment