Courtesy of BBC: The Christmas display of Victorian silver at Windsor Castle gets a final dusting before going on public display.
When I was preparing for my Christmas party, I spent several hours one day reaching into a deep cupboard, pulling out my large silver pieces, being dismayed at the amount of polishing they would need before being presentable, then rubbing and burnishing until all the pieces gleamed. Some people don’t care about owning silver for that very reason, and admittedly it does require a fair amount of maintenance. Silver is so beautiful, though, having a certain gleam, and acquiring a desirable patina as the pieces age and are used. Check it out: set a piece of silver against stainless steel, and you will easily observe the warmth coming from the silver, while the steel has a cold, blue feel. A table set with silver pieces, tastefully positioned candles and gleaming crystal is a veritable work of art.
We don’t have a large collection, of course, mostly pieces that were given to us on our 25th wedding anniversary, gifts our churches presented to us, and a few things we bought ourselves. One big purchase we made near the time of our 25th anniversary was sterling silver flatware. I keep it in a felt lined drawer in our dining room buffet, and use it a lot. It doesn’t hurt it at all, of course, as differing from fine crystal, there is no chance of breakage, and actually used silver becomes more beautiful with age as it develops the desired patina. I do count each piece, though, when I am cleaning up, for it’s too easy for a spoon or fork to get pitched into the trash.
We live in a fast-paced world of throw-away dishes, snatched up food from drive-throughs, and frozen dinners on foil trays. Each has its place, and from time to time helps us all get through a jam-packed day. However, today I think I’m going to make a little plea for a bit more formality, a touch of gentility, a brief review of Miss Manners and a well-set table; a nod to silver.
Shirley Buxton 
4 replies on “A Nod to Silver”
You’re probably right, Tommyjoe, that the food isn’t real, or is only for display, maybe changed every day. I really don’t know. It would be fun to see that sometime.
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I don’t mean to be “unduly flippant,” but I couldn’t help but think, “I sure hope that lady in the picture did her dusting BEFORE food was placed on some of that SILVERware.” HAW! (I’m guessing, though, the food probably wasn’t real.)
On the more spiritual side: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in PICTURES of silver. Prov. 25:11
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Linda, it’s wonderful that you left a message on my site—and what a message. Is not the Word of God wonderful?—full of words from God about how much He loves us, thinks on us, and cherishes us.
Wonderful too, is the internet. Makes it easy for us to stay connected, for us to share our insights…and to say often, “I love you.”
sjb
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Sis. Buxton, I sure enjoyed your blog this morning. You gave me a wonderful example to use for a lesson in my PrimeLife class! So many people want to be treated like a piece of “fine chrystal (china)”, but the Bible says that HE will “refine us as silver”! Zech. 13:9 As you said, you don’t ever have to worry about SILVER BREAKING! It might get a little tarnished, so it MUST BE polished to keep it’s beauty. Once polished you can use it! I’m glad you don’t have to be PERFECT to be used of God, but He definitely works on us to make us presentable for His work. As you said, you might lose a piece or two if you don’t keep “counting” the pieces. That’s why we keep “counting” those in our congregations, making sure they are all accounted for. We don’t want to lose ONE of the “pieces”! Silver must be “polished” to keep it’s beauty, but it doesn’t BREAK! Thank God for those faithful people who “go through the refining process” and live for God no matter what comes their way! I don’t mean to leave a “message” on YOUR blog, but you definitely hit a “heart string” this morning. Thank you!
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