Katie Mathers, Cheri Child (JoDean Anderson’s daughter), Jois Ross, Jill San Miguel, Nancy Myers and JoDean Anderson; photo by Dennis Brooks
Sherry Zeise
Classic, spicy, traditional, international, bold, sweet; we had it all! Oh, were you thinking this describes the food? No, that’s the variety of ladies attending the “Mothers’ Tea.” At the newly named Coffee Tree Café in Argyle, formerly known as “Cachette Bistro,” the owner graciously closed at 3:00 p.m. allowing New Life Lunch Bunch the full attention of his excellent staff and sharing a buffet with samplings of all that’s offered on their menu. The cozy little tearoom seated 31 of us and our guests at tables with white cloths and bright bouquets of fresh flowers. We were blessed to share time with our “friends” whom we enjoy in our community and several delightful daughters: Cheri Child, daughter of JoDean Anderson; Rebecca Brooks, daughter of Leslie Brooks; Shere Perkins, daughter of Carol Hansen; Shellie Erwin, daughter of Betty Langston; Jessica Schieffer, daughter of Katie Mathers; Debbie Lewis, newly retired daughter of Bobbie McClintick; Michelle and Ellie Heyns, daughter and granddaughter of Lerlene Perra; and Vanessa Wright, daughter of Erna Seale.
Director Jois Ross, assisted by Ruth Klein, Nancy Thomas and Peggy Zilinsky, brought us a glimpse of the beauty and power of motherhood. Jois’ original poem sent our minds and hearts through fond, grateful memories of our own mothers: the strong, unique, devoted and special women they were in formative years; how we are now striving to be the blessing they were in the lives of our own children and grandchildren. Her words reminded us that motherhood is a sacred partnership with God and knowing Christ and following His guidance as mothers make all the difference.
A scavenger hunt ensued, which had everyone scrambling to find the prize-winning items in our purse! The list grouped contents by number value to be checked-off and totaled to declare a winner. The problem: we had brought our “party purse,” which provided far less help to win than our faithful, everyday bag we had left at home! Nevertheless we had a winner who won a purse with treats inside.
Door prizes: unique, handmade items and others to encourage our faith were won by a mother with a child serving in the military, a daughter with the youngest child, the oldest mother and the mother with the most unique name for “Grandmother.”
As we walked out after a warm farewell, we realized that we had experienced a reminder of the powerful, unique and influential gifting God calls “Mother.”