I’m a wife and mom of eight mostly adult children who believes having my family at our table matters. After 27 years of parenting, I know that the most meaningful thing we do is eat together as a family. Our journey has been exciting and busy, and we found our gathering place to be the dinner table. As a result, at the table, I saw my family grow. In fact, at the table, we learned manners, and the ability to discuss. At the table we learned to invite others in and value who they are.
I did not know what I was doing when I first began making meals. My husband endured many not so great meals while I learned. Then as we began to have children, I had to learn to cook more. In order to feed everyone, I had to plan better. Because I wanted my kids to have healthy habits, I learned to cook healthier meals. I began to believe eating as a family at the table matters to our life together. With more kids at the table, we realized how much they were learning just by sitting down to meals everyday.
It is not easy to plan meals, clean up messes, and invite everyone to eat together. However, the rewards for your efforts are immeasurable. Long after the meals are eaten and the kitchen cleaned, the atmosphere remains. I have had many opportunities to say, “Come to my table.” It is hard to imagine a more rewarding task on earth. Above all, I hope that here you will find the inspiration and encouragement to bring your family to the table no matter how few or many gather. Your table is a place to love and serve. Come and begin to change your family’s life. Because, the table really does matter.
