The Blessing Cup

I wonder if only children know that it is possible to feel lonely in a big family.  One loud family gathering morphs into the next until a loved one says, “Remember when . . . ,” forgetting you weren’t at that particular party.  Or, the house is so full of people eating and laughing that no one notices when you slip out the back door into the silence.

Hence, the importance of the blessing cup!  In our childhood home, the blessing cup was a faded blue pottery goblet.  Mama brought it home and, despite some groans and protests from her hubby and daughters, began the tradition.

Any pretty glass will do the job, but it feels extra special to use the same goblet every time.  Just this year, my youngest sister, Allison, presented me with this one to keep close at hand in my home.

For a delicious “kid wine” recipe, see Allison’s blog, Cowtown Cook.

This month, we celebrated my niece Sally’s sweet 16th birthday party!  My sister’s house was full of smiles and balloons, cake, ice cream, and a bit of chaos. . . until we sat down to perform the ritual of the blessing cup.

“You can go first,” my sister, Julie, offered.  It never fails to surprise me how well she knows me even though we haven’t lived under the same roof for eighteen years.  How caring for her to remember I have a qualm about drinking after people!