So the discussion for many years, ever since I bought a big oak table for our kitchen and even before two babies were born, was that the table had to be polished, covered and kept in pristine condition. Oh to marry someone that "doesn't take care of a beautiful piece of wood."
But they were not my thoughts on it, and as you could imagine, many times I had an unhappy mate because our beautiful table was being "destroyed." That was never how I saw it...the table was being marked with memories.
Year after year our children made their marks as we shared dinner, homework, projects, laughter, discipline and talks around this special table. So the other day when my husband and I took the table cloth off, we looked at our now older family table and within it we saw the shining sparkles of projects imbedded in the grain, the marks of glue and homework, the missing stain from wear, the dents of toys and so much more. It was our masterpiece.
He looked and smiled. He got it. It's our table of memories and no shiney, polished, perfect piece of wood could be more valuable or look better. All the kids love this table as well for the same reasons...it's their life together growing up at our kitchen table where the five of us were once one.
So as I just walked into a local antique shop and saw this sign, I couldn't help but think of my husband's new found joy and discovery. His gift. Here's to our children's story forever engraved and marked in our hearts and in our big oak family table.
Comments(22)