Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Feasting at the Table

I thought yesterday would never end.

It was just a moment of exasperation. "Why don't my kids listen? Why don't they stop fighting for just a minute?"

It was a moment of frustration. "When will they play without ceasing to tattle on each other?"

It was a moment of hurt feelings. "Why does it hurt to hear my son tell me he is tired of me? After a talk about being kind, he still said, 'But, I am still tired of you, Momma.'"

It was a moment of exhaustion. "When will my husband get home?"

Finally, the day turned into evening.

We gathered together for dinner. One by one the children came to the table. They asked over and over if they could eat, as they waited on us to finished getting everything to the table.

We said Grace. We ate. We talked. We laughed. Together.

In a moment of hilarity, I laughed at my son joking with my husband.

In a moment of adoration, I smiled at my daughter as she imitated her brothers.

In a moment of clarity, my eyes met my son's eyes and I recognized that our bond is not broken.

In the moment that I finished eating, I looked from each of my children to my husband and realized my life is full. I am thankful for each one that sits around my table.

It was just dinner.

They say that eating together as a family is important. I believe it.

Last night at dinner, I feasted on the love, the happiness, the togetherness of my family.

The best dinners are the ones when I remember the real substance at my table.

9 comments:

jules said...

I totally believe in this...

Esther said...

Perfectly said!

Beth E. said...

Amen! Family dinners are the best.

My hubby comes home each day from his regular full-time job and starts in on his other job...his lawn care business. He mows about 10 yards a week. He works until dark. As a result, he doesn't get home until late.

We have family dinners as much as possible. Sooooo....we've been eating late dinners so we all can eat together. Dinner tonight was at 8:30 p.m. :-)

John and Carrie said...

Beautifully written!

He & Me + 3 said...

When we eat together as a family my kids think it is impress daddy with their joke time. They think it is performance time. It is funny, but sometimes I just want to eat. LOL
They don't put on a show just for me...but when Dad joins us at dinner, buy a ticket. Family dinners are always entertaining over here.
Loved this post.

More Than Words said...

So true!! My kids love it when we are all eating together.

Seth said...

It was a feast that filled my soul. Much like your writing.

Lorinda said...

Yes! It means that at least two nights a week we don't eat until 9:00~but as things get crazier and crazier as the kids get older the decision to wait and all eat together has definitely been worth it!

Jen said...

Awesome :) We eat together every night (but then they are young) and I admit that most nights are torturous, the little kids don't eat and the big kids are obnoxious - but then, there are those nights when all the stars and planets are aligned just right, and it's sheer bliss :)