Family Life And The Dining Table
by: Benicio Brown
Total views: 32
Word Count: 516
In days gone by the kitchen table was the center of the family. These days that tradition has gone by the wayside. This is disturbing because it shows in our nation. A tightly knit family was the basis for life just a few generations ago and it showed in our country as a whole. These days most people have very little idea of what is really going on with thier cousins let alone in thier own home. The dining room table was a place where the family talked about what was going on, what they where doing, thier plans for the week etc over breakfast, lunch and dinner. These days dinner consists of whatever can be picked up in a drive through window or unwrapped while you're on the way to do something.
Our "civilized" society of accomplishing more, instant gratification and cheap massed produced everything has taken its toll on the family unit. We have substitued family time for all things cheap and meaningless. Mickey D'sFast food, the rehashed sitcom and chinese furniture.
When did the status quo become having everything done for us? Taking no pride in anything including the family? Making a meal that took half a day used to be a source of pride for who ever made it, typically the wife. It took time and skill, both of which seem to be a rare commodity these days. If someone actually cooks these days it tends to be from one of those meals in 20 minutes cookbooks that does nothing but list prepackaged ingredients to be dumped into a pot and heated up. The funny part is that in alot of families even this farce of preparing dinner is met with "you cooked dinner?". My god! What happened to quality and pride?
When everything is disposable in life what really has any meaning or value? How can it have any value or meaning?
A discussion held in front of the tv is insincere and quickly forgotten by everyone involved. It carries no meaning because there is no eye contact or true interaction. Discussions held over a true family meal that was carefully prepared carries with it a whole lot more meaning. Why you ask well it's simple. Whoever took the time to pick up, prepare and then cook everything must really care about who they're making it for. They were willing to set aside the time necessary to cook such a meal. In this day and age of no time that in itself says alot. When the time is taken it doesn't go un-noticed simply because it's so rare these days. One of the biggest keys to family dinners is the initial effort put forth by the person that actually makes it. This sets things in motion for all involved to put extra effort into what goes on around the dinner table.
Conversations around the dinner table are undistracted, face to face and more sincere. When home made dinners are included as a normal part of family life that family has a chance to become like the families of our fore-fathers - closer, more loving and sincere.
About the Author
Dining room tables that are as strong as the family and community you can build around it can be found at this dining tables site. For an original version of this or other home decor, family and furniture related articles visitDining Room Tables
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