A Lost Art?

How often do you eat your meals at the kitchen table?  Do you do it more now than when you were young?  Or less?  Is eating meals at the kitchen table becoming a lost art?

I think the answer is yes.  When I was growing up (and mind you I am not all that old) we ate just about every single dinner as a family at the kitchen table.  And more often than not, my mother and I would have breakfast together at the kitchen table.  At least in my childhood home, there was no eating in the living room or on the run. 

I was thinking about those "oldin' days" not too long ago.  I never thought it odd or special that we would eat as a family, it is just what we did.  But it seems to me the importance of gathering around a table and sharing a meal with people you love is no longer a priority.  I have some very fond memories of eating a meal with loved ones, and they all happened around tables.

Like I said, my parents and I would eat just about every single dinner together.  We are not big talkers and all fast eaters, so typically our meals were less than 10 minutes, but we were still together.  And when I think of the fact that my mother would sit down and eat breakfast with me when we always seemed to be rushing to get to where we needed to be is almost miraculous.  Some of my best memories from seminary is gathering with my closest friends on Monday night for dinner.  It was often a 'Stone Soup' meal, with everyone bringing different pieces and it always seemed like we had a feast.  We laughed and shared our brilliant insights.  I miss those meals.

But, now that I live alone, I have fallen into the habit of mindlessly eating in front of the television.  It is so mindless that I am often not aware of what I am eating.  Even though I love to cook and I am always trying new recipes, I would never really enjoy them because I was instead focused on the T.V.  About a week ago I decided I didn't want to live like that.  When I have my own family I want to make sure we gather at the table and break bread together.  I want to slow down my life, just a little bit, by sitting at the table for my meals.

Now, its not perfect.  It does require more dishes.  I am still guilty of eating my lunch at work at my desk.  I am still a fast eater, though I am trying to slow down.  But, most importantly, I am trying to reclaim an important American tradition of eating a meal while sitting down and making sure I am grateful for each bite.

Life Experiment Update: Day two of my life experiment to keep the television off has gone well so far.  I did sit rather idly this morning while drinking my coffee until I decided it was okay to get my computer out and look at the news.  I have learned the little alarm clock radio in my kitchen used to bring NPR into my life tends to struggle differentiating NPR and some sort of alternative rock station, so it can be a mix of insightful talk and screaming obscenities.  And with 'weather' approaching on Thursday (when I will have to drive more than my typical 2 miles to work) I am struggling to figure out how to get an accurate forecast.  But, on the upside, I am thrilled not to be plugged into the presidential race for a little while!

Tomorrow I will share my thoughts on Sadie Hawkins Day and just what exactly it means for today.