BY BETH MT.
I grew up in the northeast of England where I was brought up to believe that Tea was the mender of all things. We drank tea in the morning as soon as we woke up and no meal was complete without a cup of tea to go with it (apart from curry or Sunday lunch, that would be crazy). When you watched a British soap opera, the moment a drama occurred, be it death, divorce, or anything, someone would invariably say, “I’ll put the kettle on”. Then everyone would feel better with a cup of tea. Tea is basically just a warm drink. It doesn’t change your mood; it doesn’t take the edge off the pain. It is just calming and reassuring. It’s something that we were brought up to believe was the healer of all things. So, what changed? Now when you watch those same British soaps, the response to drama or any occasion is to offer a glass of wine.
I can picture the actor now, bottle in hand and two wine glasses ready. It’s not just the soaps. In reality TV shows such as real housewives’ guests are offered wine or champagne, no matter what time of day it is. We have thrown out the notion of popping round for a cup of tea or coffee and changed the narrative to offering alcohol. When I was drinking, I would see people ordering tea or coffee in the pub and I would be horrified. Why on earth would you waste that opportunity to drink alcohol and have something so boring? I would not have dreamed of ordering either. The only time that I ever drank tea was in the morning. Now that I am sober, all of that has changed. I now see the world through sober eyes. If I have pain, then I have no choice but to sit with it and heal.
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