by Jeffe Kennedy
This was my grandmother's tablecloth. I brought it in my suitcase, because my mom wanted to do an all-white table and she asked if I had one big enough. Because I'm the one who goes through the things left behind by the grandmothers and the maiden aunts, I had a stack. I measured six of them and we settled on this one, along with the twelve matching napkins.
I didn't bother to clean it up before I stuffed it in my suitcase - not much point of that with Irish linen.
Besides, I usually cheat with tablecloths. I came up with this trick a while back, where I throw the tablecloth on the table, spritz it with a spray bottle and let the wrinkles settle out. Some plates and low lighting and good enough!
I knew this would not fly with my mother, however.
So, she put the cloth and napkins in the washer on Wednesday evening and in the morning, I ironed them dry.
It took quite a while, too.
Not something I really ever spend my time doing.
But, as I pressed each napkin, front and back, then folded them into halves and then quarters, creating the fine creases, I found that I enjoyed that time. There's something to be said for rituals like this, the things that take time and patience. It gave me the space to day dream a little, to think about my grandmothers and the ending to Middle Princess.
I love how the holiday rituals require that from us and gift us in return.
