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Mint tea and me

Posted October 14th, 2009 by Jen in family life, the ranch

Mint leaves in my potI grew mint in my garden this year, mostly because of the treasured childhood memories I have of the mint growing in our Arizona garden. I loved this mint as a little girl, and when I would get sent out to pick it for my mother’s tea, I would usually eat my way through the mint patch as I plucked some leaves for her. I must have had the freshest breath in Cochise County.

Last week, I made the first pot of my very own mint tea. I boiled some water for my mother and me. I lingered over the stove, breathing in the tingly aroma as the minty vapors cleansed the air. Later, as we snuggled down into our chairs with cups of mint tea, I asked my mom if she remembered our mint patch. Vaguely, she said. I never thought I’d see the day when the bed of mint was a “vague” memory of hers. Still, it was a wonderful, savored moment.

I have friends who are also caretakers of an aging parent. The wife’s father is the live-in parent, and in my case, it’s my mother. A few weeks ago, my friend’s father had a stroke, and now he needs assistance with feeding, toileting, bathing, everything, and he no longer speaks intelligibly. The fact that I could sit with my mother and enjoy a cup of mint tea and simple conversation is a great joy.

One of my sisters grows mint. It turns out my grandmother from Michigan grew mint, which led to my mother’s love of mint. This sister took some of Grandma’s mint and transplanted it into her own garden, and has moved it from house to house, wherever she goes. She lives in Ohio now. I’m wondering if there’s a way for her to ship some of her mint to me in Oregon? My mother’s Arizona mint patch is long gone, and Grandma’s is too (she’s been in Heaven for almost 20 years now). Am I crazy? Good grief, mint is mint. Oh well, perhaps I’ll be checking on getting me some of that old family mint.

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12 Responses

  1. e-Mom October 15th, 2009 at 2:02 am

    I love mint too. I drink (purchased) green tea with mint. One time when we were camping, I remember my father pulling up a patch of spearmint and taking a little bite. I marvelled that one could harvest and eat wild plants! (He knows his stuff, an expert horticulturist.)

    Glad to have you “back” in blogdom. :~D

  2. Fencepost October 15th, 2009 at 6:38 am

    Yes, mint is mint. But Grandma’s mint is different. You must get a transplant and continue the tradition! You’ll be glad you did.

  3. mrs darling October 15th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    Yep Id try to get some from her garden too. We had mint going wild at our home as kids. Im afraid to plant it now lest it take over the entire property! LOL

  4. Jen October 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    e-Mom, any kind of green tea is a favorite of mine as well. I’d love to know my plants better like your dad.

    Fencepost and Mrs. Darling, thanks for the votes on Grandma’s mint.

  5. Tipper October 18th, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    I don’t think you’re crazy! I have a rose bush that has been passed around like that-and I love it just because of the women in my family who have had a piece of it. I bet she could ship you some next spring-and it would be fine.

  6. Heather October 18th, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    DEf must get some of the original plant. I have several plants from my green thumb grandfather who passed away a few years back–those plants grow better than any I have ever tried and are such a blessing.

  7. Dad @ Kintropy October 18th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    If you cannot get some mint transferred, I’m sure you can start the tradition yourself with your kids. The story itself will provide the link backwards, and your tradition with your own mint plants will carry it forwards.

  8. Jen October 19th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Tipper and Heather, neat to hear of the rose bush and the green thumb grandfather.

    Kintropy, I love your idea–short of getting the original mint, the next best thing is to start my own tradition. Well, I may have already started it!

  9. Amanda October 19th, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    I love my mint too…and it’s so special to have mint-memories. I think you’re not crazy at all. I think you’re sweet and in a sweet season. I’m glad for you.

  10. julie October 24th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    I didn’t realize you loved mint so much - now I am so glad that you happened to stop by and get some of my chocolate mint leaves from the herb garden! They went to a well loved place with you!

  11. Jen October 25th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    Amanda, oh, thanks, and I love how you called it “mint-memories.”

    Julie, Your chocolate mint was awesome. Wish I had some right now.

  12. julie October 26th, 2009 at 7:41 pm

    Come get some more!! You know where it grows! I don’t have to be home!!

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