Welcome! Come on in ya’ll!
Let me share with you the story of my dining table. Over our nearly thirty years of marriage, my husband and I have had numerous tables, but none quite as grand as this one we purchased from a friend who made it with his own two hands. We live in Mississippi, referred to as the “buckle of the Bible Belt” by some pastors, where cooking and eating is more than sustenance; it’s a social event. While decorative centerpieces make a beautiful presentation, we are more interested in the friends and family in each seat around the table.
During our home renovation in 2016, we enclosed our screened porch to create a larger formal dining room. Along with acquiring a larger table, we occasionally supplement it with smaller tables to accommodate our extensive family and friends.
Between us, we have eleven immediate family members. When we add in the spouses, children, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles our holiday dinners typically host between twenty-five to forty guests. We’ve managed to add more seats than those we have lost. Over the past four years, we have lost my brother-in-law to cancer and my dad to a stroke. Yet, we continue to honor their memories, recounting cherished stories of them as we gather around the table.
Speaking of renovations, this late 1970s ranch-style house originally belonged to my in-laws before my husband and I purchased it in 2010. Recognizing the need for a more open space to allow for more guests during family gatherings, we knocked down walls and opened up the kitchen.
Our hope and prayers have always been for all who cross the threshold to feel warm and welcome. Most weeks, my table hosts family and friends, whether for supper or small group bible study. There’s a joy in welcoming loved ones and sharing conversations around the table.
Today, March 20th, marks my husband’s birthday. We will host his birthday dinner this Friday, once again hosting family around the table to celebrate his life. We will share stories of his kindness and wisdom and offer prayers for continued health and blessings.
Easter is just around the corner next Sunday. We’ll also host our annual egg hunt. It’s no longer my boys hunting the eggs. Instead, they’ve grown up to help hide the eggs while the great nieces and nephews will be the eager hunters. We’ve planned the traditional menu, arranged for the family photos, and prepared to celebrate the true reason we are all together: Jesus.
Despite my best efforts to prepare, it seems there’s always something I forget. Last year, the stuffed eggs were discovered in the refrigerator only after everyone left. I couldn’t help but laugh as I messaged our family group chat with a photo and a lighthearted offer, “Anyone up for a stuffed egg?”
This year, I made a note on my phone to remember the eggs, determined not to repeat the same oversight. Yet, in the years to come, what we eat or don’t eat may fade from memory. What I truly pray they remember are the conversations shared and the valuable moral and spiritual lessons they learned while seated around our table.
Carries writes about herself, “I’ve had a few different careers, but my latest venture is in writing. I am a new author writing my first young adult Christian fiction novel titled, Crisis of Faith, to be released later this year. I write to help the young Christian woman who has lost her childlike faith to help her heal and trust Jesus again. My website is under construction but can be viewed at www.carriewatts.com. I can also be found on Instagram and Facebook.”
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