My grandparents dining room table was a place where everyone gathered. Literally, everyone. Every holiday, major life event, and just because moments were shared around that table. That table was a representation of my who my grandparents were.
Many of my memories growing up took place there. It was a place where all were welcome. It did not matter who you were, where you came from, or what your beliefs were. It was a safe place. A place to talk about.. well everything. Everyone would come over and talk to the late hours of the night. Laughter always filled the room. I loved going over my grandparents for many reasons but knowing that everyone close to us would be there spending time with each other, eating, and laughing was always my favorite part. My grandparents would often put all the leaves of their table in to make room for everyone and people still squeezed in. It was the largest dining room table.
Many people throughout my life gathered there. They were always there, so much so that after my wedding my new husband asked how I was related to some of them. I would just say I don’t know. I just am. Later on I come to learn that we really aren’t related to everyone there. But that was the beauty of their table. It didn’t matter if we were blood or not. We were family.
After my grandmother passed my grandfather moved into an apartment. His table and all the leaves came with him. The table went fully set up would take up his entire 800 sq ft apartment. Nobody cared, we would still squeeze and fit around the table, open the balcony door to let air in so we can all breathe and spend time with each other.
At my grandfather’s funeral his dining room table was talked about. How they never had much, didn’t have a lot of nice things, but their home was open to anyone. Their home felt like your home.
I want a table like that. I want my home to be a place where all feel welcome and time is taken out of our busy lives to sit and just talk. I want my kids growing up thinking they are related to everyone that comes to the table. I want the culture of my home to be like my grandparents table.
Leave a Reply