Sunday Dinner

Old and young,

 men, women, and children turn up in full force for 

the timeless tradition of family supper.

  Delicious aromas wafting up from the oven reach out beyond the front door
to greet each person as they approach our cabin.
 Roasting meat, fire crackling, a merry pile of children heaped on a couch,
 these familiar sights and sounds fill the senses. 

  Sunday dinner. 

 Just naming it brings to mind years of  home cooked,

 multi-generational dinners at my grandma's house. 

Grandma was the best cook.  

Her baked beans, biscuits and gravy, and pickles are still legendary.

  Generations ago, 

in North Carolina's way back hollers,

 a relative of mine served her family pickled something or the other,

 because that was one of their staples of winter food. 

 My grandma passed down this quirky tradition.

That tiny woman,
 of considerable strength, wisdom and energy, always had pickled beets, 

picalily, or dill pickles gracing her table. 

Now, we honor her memory and our family history

with our own home-canned pickled goodness each and every Sunday dinner.
It is part of the story of
Us.

 A generous sprinkling of the dishes I was raised with:
 Meat, potatoes, gravy, home made rolls or cornbread,

 and ofcourse, pie ending it all...

that's the hallmark our family dinners are made of.

 Traditional family food is more than delectable,

 it is heritage come down.

History is part of the feast.

 Grandma's cooking was wonderful, 

but what is in my heart
is the gathering of family at table,

 for that is what made our family dinners special.
In this day of busy, over committed lifestyles,
we intentionally slow down long enough to come together.

And so, we seek to honor our parents by inviting them to Sunday Dinner,

 along with all our children, and usually a few friends, 

for a bountiful table set to holiday standards.
 My mom taught me that

  a thoughtfully set dinner table is a gift to those seated around it.

 and also that

 presentation can make anything you serve more gracious.

Setting a fine table is an effort.  

This is the work of preparation.
 This work of preparation brings forth the expectation of something extra special.

The children clue in on this, and excitement for the day swells.

The family dinner is a place of belonging...
...a place where we can commune together,
 experiencing the beauty and goodness of all that God has given us for our joy and pleasure.
This table invites us to fill the hunger and thirst our souls inherently have for community.

The intention is to treat those we love as what they are to us... wanted, valued, and appreciated.

  The result is a reawakened vision of family life as it used to be back in the day.

The extra work and effort unequivocally worth it.

Hungry guests and eager children know to listen for the sweet summons of the dinner bell.

Anticipation of the succulent dinner at hand, a hurrah goes up as we gather.  

Love that word. 

Gather.

To be gathered around the table is blessing enough.

But there's more.

We lift up our voices, old and young, in song. 

Here is beauty.

Then, after a prayer, each person around the table expresses one thing they are thankful for.

This is so important. 

 When we do this, we are intentionally turning our hearts in gratitude 

to the One who has given us so very much, 

which, turns our hearts away from ourselves 

and offers a chance to revive selfish attitudes, thus rendering deeper enjoyment. 

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, 

and forget not all his benefits:"

- Psalm 103:1-2 KJV

Dinner is served.

As plates are removed to the kitchen,

the children line up oldest to youngest near their dad,

 eagerly awaiting their father's blessing bestowed on each head.

  O, my heart!

In my mind, there is just about nothing as beautiful 

as a father giving his children a sweet blessing

 to carry them through the days ahead, 

reminding them of their value, their identity, their destiny.

When heads and hearts have received their blessing, 

a sweet, mouthwatering conclusion is served round.

The aroma of coffee brewing convinces all to sit and sip awhile yet longer.

   

Here are memories being imprinted on young minds.

Conversations eventually move to the living room in front of the fire.

The boys quiz their papa about welding, fabrication, forging, and cars.

The girls watch as the grandmas put the kitchen to rights with cheerful voices,

as if dishes for 18 are nothing at all to wash by hand.

The smaller children love to use Grampy's attention as a show and tell time. 

The cabin is abuzz with small conversations here and there,

 while second cups of coffee are filled and leftovers parceled out to each household.

Finally, the cabin empties as twilight settles in.
My heart is full.
  I am undoubtedly exhausted.
 And yet, I will joyfully look forward to next time, because
This is just too precious to pass up.