A Kitchen Table

On Saturday I went to a super-sized flea market called "The Funky Junk Sisters."  Now I had never heard of them until I moved back here but a bunch of my friend Carol's friends  have gone to Funky Junk Sister flea markets before.  They drive 2 1/2 hours to Portland to their flea markets and I've seen some of the things they've bought and it's the kind of vintage/distressed/shabby-chic kind of furniture that I love.  So, when I heard the Funky Junk Sisters were coming here, Carol and I decided to tag along.

I found a kitchen table. My kitchen table didn't make it from Casper so I needed one.  The table I found at the flea market is exactly the kind I imagined.  It's the kind that has the sides that can be down so that the table is small or up so that the table is larger.  It's old so it has character.  It's painted mint green but is very distressed - a little too distressed for a kitchen table so I'm going to sand it down and repaint it.  I'm going to look for four mismatched chairs and paint them all mint green and make cushions for them.  But that's not the point.

The point is, I have a kitchen table for when I have my own place again.  I didn't realize how important a kitchen table really was until I didn't have a place to live or a kitchen table.  A kitchen table symbolizes you have a place to eat.  A kitchen table is where  family can gather around; where we can be together as family.  A table is someplace where you talk and share stories.  Laughter and tears are shared at kitchen tables. Friendships deepen around tables while food is eaten and stories are told.

My daughters and I have prepared many a meal centered around the table - using the table as if it's an extension of the counter.  Since the girls were toddlers, sugar cookie dough has been rolled out and cut into shapes at every Christmas. and then they are frosted and covered with sprinkles - often with more sprinkles on the table than on the cookies.  Cinnamon rolls have been made on our table that we give to friends to say thanks for being our friends.  Corn flake wreath cookies with little red candies for berries placed on top have been  placed on wax paper covering the kitchen table.

But, it's not just cooking that happens at our table.  Our table has been the place for crafts... lots and lots of crafts were created around the table.  Science projects were born on the kitchen table.  And, you can't come to the Cato's without playing games at the kitchen table.  Phase 10, Scrabble, Quibbler...  we are a game playing family.

You see, a kitchen table is a big deal.  A kitchen table is a place for belonging; for yourself, for family and for friends.  You sit at the table for nourishment; whether it's food for your physical needs or food for your soul. When you leave the table, you are full.

A kitchen table is important.  I have a kitchen table now. Once I find a place to live, I have a place for family and friends to gather. Having a kitchen table is big deal.