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Table tells tale of family love and togetherness

It's an unlikely-looking treasure that old oak table of mine, with its cracks, weakening chairs and worn out corners, but it is a treasure to me. The memories it holds are timeless and priceless.

The old oak table with its side boards that extend its length to 10 feet, originally belonged to Grandma and Grandpa who purchased it in 1918 for their new home. It has, at one time or another, hosted all of my favorite friends and relatives: the
Ciccarellis, Furdutos, Dinapolis, and Franciscos.

These days, when I sit down at the table I can't resist a temptation to stroke my hands over its rich wood surface, to feel the tiny nicks and scratches made by each passing generation. I am reminded of my childhood, of days spent sitting with my siblings and my cousins at Grandma's bountiful table, eager to devour one of her delicious Italian meals.

At every meal, Grandma's dinner table was covered with platters of home cooking - pasta, artichokes, garlic bread, asparagus, chicken, meat balls, and... and...
The grand meal didn't officially begin until grandma repeated the traditional words before every meal: "Mangiare, mangiare" ( eat, eat ).

I'll always remember the lively chatter and heart warming laughter that passed over the table at every meal. It was a reson for celebration just to be seated all together at Grandma's table. The aroma of her kitchen species and slowly simmered spaghetti sauce teased our appetites all day long so that by dinner time we were famished. We couldn't wait to indulge in a platter of handmade noodles and meatballs covered in tomato sauce.

After dinner it was a family ritual to clear the dishes from the table and then sit down again to play card games, dominoes or the always mysterious and intriguing Quija board. Some of my happiest times were spent at that table, where we would visit late into the night, sipping on cups of Grandma's strong espresso and playing board games. It was Grandpa's belief that the soul sighed after a large meal and that we should spend that time quietly in repose.

For that reason, we could always hear his contented snore, resounding through the household, after one of grandma's meals.

Sometimes, we'd just sit quietly listening to the oldest members of the family speaking to each other in their native Italian, though we didn't understand much of what they were saying we were able to learn a few words here and there.

Other times, we'd sit listening while papa smoked his DiNobili cigar and recalled family histories and some funny little anecdotes about each of his children.

At these family gatherings Grandma covered the table with a red and white vinyl checked cloth that she kept faithfully rolled on an old broom handle behind the door, its bright colors as vivid in my mind as the memory it recalls.

Recently while shopping for a replacement chair for my old table, I was told by a sales clerk that dining room chairs are going to be difficult to find. The reason being that the formal dining room and dining tables are becoming pass. And that most new homes don't have a formal dining room. Due to family work schedules and lifestyles the modern family can't sit down to eat at the same time any more.

I sure hope the sales clerk was mistaken. I would hate to think that the coming generation is going to miss out on the fun and enjoyment we had as kids, sitting all together around that big oak dining table exchanging stories, eating wonderful home cooked meals and creating unforgettable memories together.

Our family table had many uses; it was Dad's desk table when he paid the monthly household bills, it was Mom's pastry table when she rolled out her pizza and focaccia dough, and it was where the kids in the family played their favorite board games, but most important of all, the table was used for bringing the family together.

It worked in the good old days. Why not today?

 

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