Sunday Dinner

A good old-fashioned family Sunday dinner? 

Does anybody ever do such a thing anymore?  I can honestly say I haven’t really taken part in such a wonderful time in over 20 years. 

Aint that a shame?  

When I was in my first marriage, it was so important to my husbands’ Grandmother that family gathered after Church at their house for Sunday dinner.  It wasn’t every week, but usually at least every few Sundays. 

I still remember those times, like they were yesterday.

I hope you have fond memories of such times too.  You know, where all the women get up and fix something in the morning, then after Church most of the family gathers at Mammaws’ house.     Pappaw and his sons and grandsons built it themselves, for him and Mammaw.   It was just a simple small cabin and way too small for such a large family.

But did it stop us all from gathering?  Goodness no, they had a screened in front porch, and we all would just gather in the house, or outside on the porch, or even standing out in the yard just talking, laughing and eating Sunday dinner.

All the kids used to love those times.  It was a chance for them to see their cousins and have a great time together out in the yard playing, while us women would get everything warmed and ready to eat. 

Then afterward all us women would tidy up, cover things on the table in case anybody else might show up, or somebody might want another bite of that great meal later.

Then the men would gather on the porch, and us women set down in the living room; all for some good conversations and laughter.  Oh my, I smile now just thinking of all those wonderful times.

Those certainly were the days!  I so hope and pray you know what I’m talking about, that you have such wonderful memories as those for your own families.

Nowadays, we seem to go to Church and gather at one of the hundreds of restaurants to eat together.  I know, we do it that way all the time too.  Well except, for Holidays.  But it always just seems too crowded and noisy and usually, you rush through dinner and then just go your separate ways, til next time.

But not today, after last weeks dinner out, my daughter and I have decided to have a good old family dinner at home.  So I got up early, set the table with the actual dishes, not paper plates yall;  and then I proceeded to start cooking.  My daughter is at home getting her family ready for Church and doing the same.

Then after Church, we’re gonna gather here at the house, the guys talk about Nascar, the kids play and us two women, get everything out of the oven and on the table for a wonderful old-fashioned family dinner.

I’m so looking forward to it. Smiling now as I think about it.  Yes, it’s more work and clean up after, but it’s also a relaxing quiet time of family sitting at the table, saying grace and enjoying a Sunday dinner, as it should be; like it used to be.

I hope you consider it for your own family someday soon.  It will make memories that will last a lifetime.  If you don’t have family nearby, remember what I said in the Family blog.  A family isn’t necessarily blood relatives.  A family is anybody you spend time with that you care for.  Whether that’s blood family, friends, co-workers, senior community, anybody, goodness, invite the widows and single parents in your community.  Just consider a good old fashioned family dinner sometime soon. 

I bet you will love it and smile about it with fond memories later.

Happy eating, til next time!