A Memory of Christmas Tea
by Tom Hegg; illustrated by Warren Hanson
Published by Waldman House Press
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
(The two books have been combined and are available in audiobook)
A Memory of Christmas Tea is the long-awaited sequel to the beloved bestseller, A Cup of Christmas Tea, written 25 years ago.
In A Cup of Christmas Tea, the man had to go visit an old aunt--and tried to get out of it. Many of us can identify with that. But once there, their time together was precious.
"...I didn't know that this would be our final cup of tea, I only knew that my Great Aunt was listening to me."
Now years later, the nephew tells us that his old Great Aunt always believed in him, and listened to him talk about his life. Before she died, she made him promise her something, but he writes:
"My life was an emergency, a crisis, and a race, with problems running after me and at me at a place that only was accelerating as the years flew by. So if I couldn't stop for tea, I had my reasons why."
His promise to his aunt was that every year he would take time to invite someone in for Christmas tea, served out of her beautiful Christmas tea set she willed to him.
The book has some reminiscing about the good times, big family gatherings of when he (and I) was young, but the message for today is to take that time to do something special for someone else, to have that cup of tea.
Warren Hanson's wonderful illustrations match the first book. The teaming up of Hegg and Hanson has provided many wonderful books as they complement each other so well.
This book would be a nice addition to those special books you bring out when you need to be reminded about those who have gone before us--and the role they played in our life--at holidays or all year long.
Armchair Interviews says: Raise a cup of tea to another special Christmas story.