August 3, 2010. Western Head, N.S. The Toast Rack.

Samantha felt terrible and so did I, but it was merely a porcelain toast rack used by my Grandmother on her breakfast tray. Now it is broken and in two pieces. It was an accident. Samantha, Allison and I were sitting at the kitchen table eating fruit, discussing the cocktail party held at our house that evening. All four girls were helpful both clearing up the party and setting it up as well as talking with the guests. They are an asset at a party. But they were tired.

While sitting at the table Samantha asked why the Canadians do not use the term napkins, and told us that Mal had a rack on the table and asked Samantha what it was. She said it was a napkin rack. He reminded her that in Canada it would be called a serviette holder, but that, no, it was a toast rack, a very special toast rack owned and used by Grandma Houghton. Allison had never seen the rack so asked to see it. I foolishly told Samantha to take Allison to the china cabinet to show it to her and she did. But when she was turning from the cabinet, Suzanne called her, she turned, and dropped the china toast rack. It fell and broke into two pieces. She felt terrible. I felt terrible when she came to show me. But it is only a toast rack. Ken will glue it together. I should have never told her to take the rack out of the china cabinet, especially late at night after a long hard day, but they are always so careful.

Now we will always remember the summer that Samantha broke Grandma Houghton's toast rack and we will laugh.