Before I get into the story of Community and a glass of peach tea, I want to wish you a Happy Easter! I put on my Sunday best today to watch a virtual Easter service from the comforts of my couch.
Story Time:
In High School, I would walk to and from school, unless I could hitch a ride with a friend or a church member. I lived in a small town in Eastern Iowa, small enough that I could walk a mile from the edge of town where I lived to the middle of town where the school sat. I moved to this town when I was ending 7th grade and moving into 8th grade. I made some friends in the grade because we would ride the bus together from our town to the next town above us because that is where the middle school was located. I made 2 friends that invited me to the Methodist Church in town. One of the girls was named 'T' She lived a little closer to the school so many days I would walk to her house and my parents would pick me up from her house or I would get a snack and a refreshment before continuing on my journey home.
This is where the peach tea comes into the story. You see T's mom. Mrs. K. would have a large pitcher of peach tea in the refrigerator and that was my elixir of choice every time I came over. This was not hot tea cooled down or what I call 'windowsill tea' this was tea made from a Crystal Light powder mix but it was so good. This tea was more than just tea though. It was life giving and community building. Their house became a place of refuge for me on my journey home or a getaway from life to have fun with 'T' and some of our other friends.
After High school, 'T' and I lost our friendship, we would see each other at church over the holiday break but it was not the same. As I shop down the aisles of the grocery store, I still find myself pulled toward the powdered juices aisles and toward the peach green tea. Every time I drink this mix, as I am right now, I am reminded of our friendship and the memories I have with 'T' and her momma, Mrs. 'K'.
The idea that a glass of flavored water could create a small group of communi-tea, how can you build a community around you?
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