By: Robin Lax ( My Momma)

So much of my life has happened around a kitchen table. Some of the kitchen tables were square, rectangular, and round. However, they were all made of wood. Solids and strong kitchen tables. I never realized until this moment how all the kitchen tables in my life tell my story.

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A strong family has well worn seats at the dinner table.

            My earliest memories are connected to a kitchen table. As a child I was blessed to have four very important kitchen tables. My great-grandma’s kitchen table was round, no corners. Round tables are special, you just add a chair. I have sweet memories around that round table. This was the table that No-Bake cookies were a precious staple. This was the table I experienced a great loss. The night we tragically lost my Uncle Mike, my family gathered around that round table with no corners to grieve.

It isn’t so much what’s on the table that matters, it’s who is in the chairs.

            My grandparents’ tables were located within a half mile of each other. So much of my life has happened around those two tables. Around one of those tables I was taught so many life skills. A very sweet memory of making homemade noodles and seeing them dry on that kitchen table still warms my heart. I stood on top of that kitchen table as a child numerous times to have dresses hemmed by my mother or grandma. Most importantly, I was taught the love of God around that precious kitchen table. I would give anything to hear my sweet grandpa say the blessing just one more time. I know without a doubt, that God was at that table with his hand on my grandpa’s shoulder every time.

The best memories are made gathered around the table.

            My other grandparents’ kitchen table brought me other life lessons that were equally important. I was taught to think outside the box. This grandma showed me, by example, to be an independent thinker. She encouraged us to enjoy the arts. She would put a vase with flowers in the center of the kitchen table and give us paper, pencils, and paints. Sadly, drawing was not my gift. However, one of my sisters was blessed with this gift of art. This kitchen table had lots of aunts and uncles around it. It showed me the wonderful sounds of noise a family makes.

Kitchens are made for bringing families together.

            My fourth childhood kitchen table was my parents. It was a square wooden table that expanded. It had countless birthdays and delicious meals made by my mom fill my memory. I don’t remember that table without my sisters, even though I am the oldest. I feel they both have always been with me. Actually, I can’t remember a kitchen table without them. The fourth kitchen table has had to have many chairs added over the years. We were blessed with a brother and a baby sister. Then chairs had to be added for several brothers-in-law and a sweet sister-in-law. Sadly, my siblings planned my mother’s funeral around our family kitchen table.

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            I now have my own kitchen table. My table is also wood, rectangular, and even has a bench. The bench, my talented wood working husband, made for our kitchen table, ensures that there is even more seating.  In 28 years of marriage, my kitchen table has seen two chairs added for my baby girls. Around that table, these two girls have grown into beautiful women. That table has had homework completed, family meetings, and a lot of teenage girls sharing giggles and secrets. I love seeing and listening to my children, nieces, and nephews playing games and laughing around my table.

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Life is still rolling along and now my oldest daughter is married. In the middle of her kitchen is one of my childhood kitchen tables. I have no doubt that her kitchen table will continue her story. I look forward to and can’t wait to see the memories made around my own daughters’ tables. No matter the size or type of table that is found in your kitchen remember, there is always room for more chairs. The most important thing is to gather around that table and cherish the memories being made.

May your table be full of food, family, friends, and love.

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