Blue & White Mugs
Blue and white souvenir mugs
in our Miami Beach drug store…
art deco and wildlife scenes…
I bought four!
The kids grew; we planned to travel…
They wanted to help push Dad’s chair.
I looked forward to collecting
blue and white mugs from everywhere!
A three-generation Carribean cruise…
Dad’s last-minute illness caused cancellation.
We scheduled a Carribean cruise
for our family vacation.
I spent a night in the hospital with Dad…
They failed to draw blood despite many tries.
Dad checked himself out before daybreak;
we drove to the beach and watched the sunrise.
Then we went home to pack our bags
for the final voyage of the Norway…
Mom, Dad, and kids sailed that afternoon.
We had decided to “seize the day!”
The kids and I snorkeled. Our family
explored islands, listened to steel bands,
dressed for dinner, went to shows…
and we bought a mug, as I had planned.
The Batavia Family aboard the Norwegian Ship, Norway
Dad died within the year. I put the
Carribean mug where it wouldn’t break,
fragile, precious souvenir of the
only family cruise we would ever take!
Years later, I retired to the Gulf coast.
Just one Miami Beach mug remained
when we moved to our new house.
I thought about putting that mug away…
I chose to use both irreplaceable mugs…
I have tea with my memories every day.
One day the mugs may break,
and that will be okay!
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
Gulf Coast Poet 
A glorious story of how trinkets and memorabilia from the past can provide spiritual triggers to our souls’ loving memories…. In my case, it was a set crystal wine glasses we received as a wedding gift from our dearest friend Maree… (she paired us up for our blind date meeting)……I’ve only one glass left now, but fondly, I am still using it !!
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Ivor, your story is beautiful and touching! I am glad you are still using the glass. I am enjoying the mugs every day. They might even outlast me! Who knows?
Thank you for your wonderful comment! All the best! Cheryl
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Memories are our treasures Cheryl
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what a moving tribute to your last family holiday! The kids were so young …
So very glad you use those mugs full of memories … they may not break in the cupboard but each day used brings those memories flooding back 🙂
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Thank you, Kate, for your kind and insightful comments. Who knows…the mugs may outlast me! I hope all is well with you, and you are enjoying your weekend. Cheryl
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If they do I’m sure your kids will treasure them for the same reasons 🙂
the wild wind has finally eased off and the sun is out … so off to do a few chores 🙂
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I can imagine every lines you put up here. I am glad you can carry the memories of the past everyday whenever you drink tea. This is one lovely poem Cheryl. 💖💖
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Offshore Writer, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response to my poem. I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope you are having a great weekend! Cheryl
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A lovely story Cheryl!
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Memories are made of these.
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Thank you so much, Msdedeng, for your kind comments. It makes me happy that you enjoyed the poem. Have a great weekend! Cheryl
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A pleasant moment with flashback!!
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Amit, Thank you for reading and commenting on my poem. I appreciate your kind, thoughtful comment. Yes, I guess you could say that seeing the mugs gives me flashbacks…all good ones! Have a great weekend! Cheryl
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What a wonderful story of family love and blue coffee mugs! So sorry for your loss. The photo says it all. That was a beautiful trip for your family. I love that you are using the mugs! Great memories!
dwight
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Thank you, Dwight, for your kind thoughts. As time passes, the pain of loss fades, but the happy memories remain. I think the love in your heart for those who are no longer alive always remains too, don’t you agree? I really appreciate your taking the time to read and comment. All the best, Cheryl
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Yes, the love we feel stays with us on and on!
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How did I reach this lovely post? But so glad i did. We collect souvenirs from our travels. I think keeping them away in cupboards is like hiding those memories away till you occasionally look at them. Cradling that precious mug everyday, at the dining table, letting it bring back the loving memories every day is so much a better thing to do. I pray they never break…
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So happy to have you visit! Thank you, DEB, for your lovely thoughts. Now that I have let go of my fears, the mugs may outlive me! all the best! Cheryl
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Wow! This is written with so much soul.❤ Isn’t it lovely how some things become so important to us while they’ll just be ‘mugs’ for everyone else? Beautiful! Stay safe, take care.😊
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Shreya, Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts. I am glad you enjoyed the poem. All the best! Cheryl
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What a beautiful poem Cheryl with such special memories of your treasure in your heart and hand in the morning. Your dad would be so touched as I’m sure he always was judging by that great family photo. Life is short and fragile like our treasures and as I get older I’m not to sad when they break. One more thing to leave behind and not have to dust. Enjoy your morning beverage.xo
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Thank you, Cindy for your insightful comments! Indeed, I hate dusting! My husband died in 2003, and my children are grown, but I will always cherish our family memories! I am so glad we didn’t cancel the cruise. I hope you are safe and well! Cheryl
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You are so welcome. Oh wow Cheryl, you have been through a lot. I knew your children were older or at least sumized. Such sweet memories close at heart. Me too, we wouldn’t want to be on one at the moment. I am thanks and a little challenging if I am to be honest. xo 🤗
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Super !
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I am happy you liked the poem. All the best! Cheryl
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I am pleased to
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Touching poem. The cups according to the members and timely they break. Hope you are feeling good. Take care 🙂
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Thank you, Kritika, for your kind comments and good wishes. I liked your thought about timeliness. It has taken me nearly twenty years to write about my husband and my feelings of loss. It feels right. All the best! Cheryl
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Always my pleasure 🙂
(Hugs)
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This poem resonated the beauty and love that was enfolded in each of those memories. Life is about all the moments and the days that we siezed. Those are the moments worth living. And although, we might lose the trinkets and souvenirs that we thought were treasures, the real treasure were those moments. The moments we carry with us. Thank you for writing this, Cheryl.
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Rishika, this is such a beautiful comment! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. You have summed up the ideas so well! All the best! Cheryl ❤
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Ooh…hugs. This thing called life…
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Thank you for your kind comments. I know you have had your share of challenges. I can say that I have had a very fulfilling life, for which I am grateful. I hope you are over your recent illness. You are one of the heroes of this nightmare! ❤ All the best! Cheryl
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Cheryl, you were right – I *SO* relate to this post. I also think a lot about how objects that belonged to my Papa or remind me of him in some way are worth preserving, or using, or sometimes – throwing away… I wrote about this here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2020/11/16/memento/
-David
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Thank you for sharing the link, David. I will read it after I post this. I am glad you could relate. thank you for reading and commenting. ❤
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