Me & Him on the porch with coffee. While I was sitting here reflecting on this past week, I thought of just how important our kitchen tables have been to me. My husband and I have been on the hunt to replace the one we brought with us to our new home. I remember becoming frustrated at not finding one and while leaving Good Will, expressed my feelings.

“Don’t worry, honey..we’ll find the perfect one for us”, Dan said. We have, but more about that later.

I remember my very first one. I sanded and stained that table to perfection. Lots of memories for that table, primarily of Larry and Megan sitting in high chairs, then regular seats..eating meals with us. That table went to my brother, Dennis and his family and has new memories. Family meals, making Carol’s flower arrangements and then Mom’s for their memorial services, adding to it’s soul. Dennis and I sat at that table, eating fresh tomato sandwiches..tomatoes out of their garden and chatted about memories of Mom.

The next was a really cool, square oak one with leaves to make it bigger. It matched a great, little vintage china cabinet, brother Louie gave me in exchange for his haircuts. It saw the kids through adolescence and hosted many family gatherings for Mom’s New Year’s Day birthday dinners. Megan took that set with her when she had her first apartment, here in Florida. When she moved, it went to live with a family who had very little. I hope it’s spirit soothed and helped them.

Next…a wonderful, round, wooden table I painted with faux marble effects when we moved into our house. Son, Larry gave us that one. That’s where I sat, looking out into our backyard, while writing “Loretta Caretta” . So many games of Monopoly with Tiffany and eating Dan’s world famous pizza together. We sold that table to a woman who was thrilled to get them. I believe they’re still residing in her new sun room.

Our oval glass table. Again, from Larry, which lived in our dining room. Not used much except when our friends and family would join us for our music parties. That thing actually groaned under the weight of all the food offerings. It was also the center table when daughter, Megan and her Meryl visited on their honeymoon,  celebrating their union with family and friends. That table came with us, but alas…was too large. The glass went to live with someone else and the Taylors will enjoy the lovely garden pillars that served as legs.

New we finally have our new/old table. We looked and looked, sure that the perfect one would come to us in this downsized life style. My dear, wonderful friend had it in her garage , preparing to repair the scratches and small damages on the pedestal, but then found she didn’t really need it. It’s now living in our kitchen. I think I’ll keep the scratches and marks as I prefer to look at them at memories. Wonder who’s kids scuffed up those feet? Which delicious dish made scratches as it slid across to serve someone. It has started it’s life with us with some fabulous memories already. The Taylors helped us pick it up from Dottie’s home. We ate pizza & wings, drank beer and wine, while playing cards, laughing and joking. The kids in the living room, sprawled on our couch and chair, watching movies. I look forward to adding our Dotson’s spirits with family dinners and painting gatherings. Friends to come for lunch and Dan and I having wonderful dinners together. I’ll complete my second book there and roll out dough for pasta & perogie. I’ll sit and watch the hummingbirds feed and our neighbors stroll by. This table will become an important part of our lives, just as it’s predecessors before it. Our memories will be infused with the existing ones, enriching it’s soul.

Thank your for bearing with me during this walk down memory lane. How ’bout your table memories

Happy Sunday!

Originally posted on Sunday, April 6, 2014