Two days ago we celebrated Hallowe'en and in keeping with the season, I have a ghostly story to tell you. It happened many years ago, not long after we arrived in Congo, in the provincial town of Kikwit where Hardy was working on a translation of the Old Testament. I don't know what time of year it was because there are only two seasons: dry season from April to October and rainy season from November to March. It could have happened in October!
After we had company one evening, I quickly rinsed the dishes and left them on the counter for our house helper, Tata Mbukapindu Simon, to wash more thoroughly the next morning. He usually arrived quite early, so Hardy had the habit of unlocking the kitchen door when he got up, and then returning to whatever he was doing.
That morning Simon didn't come to work. When I arrived in the kitchen, there wasn't a dish on the counter. What happened to my dishes? To this day I don't know. Our neighbours said they had seen a man with a sack walk across the yard. Did he quickly sneak into the kitchen and fill it with our dinnerware? Did he know Simon was absent from his work that day? I had other dishes that I used for every day.
The ones that disappeared were special; Hardy and I had received them as a wedding gift.
The ones that disappeared were special; Hardy and I had received them as a wedding gift.
I grieved the loss for a bit, then remembered that most of the people around us ate from a common pot because they didn't have enough dishes for each family member! Why should we have two sets? Perhaps whoever stole our dishes sold them at the market and was able to buy some food for his family. I learned quickly that Congolese share what they have and taking something from someone who has more than they need is not considered stealing! The bad thing is to have more than your neighbour and not share it!
Our wedding dishes looked like the dish above.
Collecting a good set of china was something young women in our culture back in the 1960s did before they got married; or china was often received as a wedding gift. I had started my good set before we left for Congo and had six cups and saucers and bread and butter plates (above). I did not take them along to Congo. When we returned to Canada, I was disappointed that this set was discontinued and I was not able to purchase the dinner plates or the dessert bowls.
The women's group at Kitchener MB church (in Ontario), where our family worshipped when we returned to Canada, wanted to do something special for us and gave us money for a set of dishes. I chose Corelle again but a different pattern than our stolen wedding dishes. This set has lasted us for many years.
Hardy and his brother bought the above set of German china as a gift to their parents on their 25th anniversary. Hardy's brother passed away in his early forties, so we inherited these dishes when Hardy's parents died.
Interestingly enough, my Dad, quite the romantic, loved pretty dishes. There was a store within walking distance of their house that specialized in things Dutch. Dad bought the above tea set for my Mom and I inherited it from her.
One day when my parents came to Ontario for a visit Dad asked me to choose a set of dishes. He wanted it to be a good set. I told him we didn't need any more dishes but he insisted. We walked to the mall near our house and I chose a set of French glassware that we use all the time. It always reminds me of Dad and puts a smile on my face!
When I took stock of all the dishes I owned I was amazed! I guess I inherited my Dad's penchant for them. We do love to host and our dishes have served a good purpose. I hope they will continue to do so long after we are gone. I recently asked our three daughters to choose any of the dishes they would like to inherit and I hope some will stay in the family as a reminder of the good times we had together around our table.
I pray that the dishes that disappeared mysteriously so many years ago have been of good use to someone in need!
HAPPY NOVEMBER EVERYONE !
