Once again the Teas from the Heart ministry treated ladies in our community with a special tea honoring caregivers. More than 100 volunteers were coordinated into teams led by Phyllis Ott, of Hiawassee. The nearly 40 honorees were invited or nominated by a caring friend and received hand-crafted invitations.
Courtly gentlemen parked the cars of arriving guests at the Brackett community room in Blairsville. This team of valets then escorted each lady into the transformed and delightfully decorated arena. Waiting greeters seated the ladies. The tables were tastefully adorned with vintage tea cups and other china reminiscent of an earlier time. The tea began when the table hostess placed the napkin in her lap.
Aproned servers, attired in black and white, brought tiers of various treats and poured genuine Yorkshire tea. The volume in the room heightened as the ladies became acquainted and shared their stories as caregivers. Some were carrying for a loved one with dementia. Others were taking care of aging parents or grandchildren whose parents were living away. All were sacrificially tending to needs beyond themselves.
Music was provided by local vocalists Jackie Coyne, Verrine Kane and Kim Thomas. They sang the beautiful and appropriate song, “Under His Wings.”
The guest speaker, Carol Armstrong, was herself a caregiver for 13 years while her husband battled Alzheimer’s disease. Her motivation then was to do the best she could so as to have no regrets and to have a sense of peace when Brian’s journey ended. Her goal now is to help others understand the important role that caregivers have.