the power of the family dinner

We have had dinner together as a family almost every night since the lockdown period began. And it is by far my favourite time of day.

It hasn’t mattered what has gone on leading up to dinner - we continue to gather.

There is laughter. There are arguments and the occasional whack from brother to brother. Stolen french fries. Spilled drinks. Candles lit in an attempt to bring a little pretty into a male dominated house. And there is conversation. Always conversation. Sometimes about our days, sometimes about farts and who stinks worse. But we always connect. And we always gather together each evening.

Eating dinner as a family is not new. It is something that we have always tried to do but in a life that has been filled with sports, theatre, friends, school, work and so many other outside demands it would usually only happen about once a week.

But now, now in a time of uncertainty, in a time of retreat from all that is familiar, the one thing that I have come to count on is our evening meals. They ground me. Even on days when I am feeling low and just want to retreat to my bed sharing a meal with my boys lifts me up.

Last night, I needed our dinner together. I didn’t know how much I needed it until we had all sat down at the table. Schools had been officially closed for the rest of the year (no surprise) but the gut punch was the cancellation of summer camps, too. When that news came out it was like the last piece of hope I had for summer had been sucked out of me. I was feeling pretty low and had a weep while I was cooking dinner. But as we sat down to eat together and the familiar banter started, I knew I would be okay. The kids expressed their disappointment but also said we could figure something else out. And we started brainstorming ideas. I felt lifted up. I felt complete.

We will figure it out. We always do. And we will figure something out that is right for our little family. And we will continue to eat dinner together.

And, maybe, just maybe, the candles will stay lit for a whole meal.

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