Memory Making Moments
Last week, with the help of my friend Christie, I sold my oak table with a leaf and six chairs. During the conversations with the family buying it, I came down a little in price; but, it was still a goodly amount and will help out with expenses.
It was surprising how emotional this simple transaction became as I sat on the chairs waiting for them to arrive. The set was bought in 2000 when we moved into the house on Cranberry Drive in Greenfield. It was my dream home and dream dining room table. A place to gather, to talk, to laugh, and to eat. Meals are about so much more than food.
Looking at the table, I could see my youngest son, Aaron, coming home from working on the Plouch farm. A job he loved, but one that made him very tired and hungry. All those mountains of mashed potatoes he ate at that table. A tear fell down my cheek. I kept telling myself, “It’s only a table.”
Looking at the pinkish stain on the table, I remember the Girl’s Only Retreat at my house where Olivia came with her mom, Jessie. While everyone was painting their nails, Olivia painted the table a bit. A couple more tears fell. And I kept telling myself, “It’s only a table.”
Looking at the chair next to me, I remembered the many nights talking with Todd, while they lived at my home. Late night conversations about the depths of life. More tears. Again I told myself, “It’s only a table.”
Then there was the place where my oldest granddaughter Ellis sat, after the table was moved to my next home on Heather Court. Her mom and dad kept telling her “Chairs are for sitting.” She wasn’t convinced of that. And then she tasted my Little Grandma’s Potato Soup for the first time. Still I remember that odd expression on her face, and it makes me smile. She must have liked it because she kept eating it, but made such an interesting face with each mouthful. Tears were falling pretty heavily at this point. Again, “It’s only a table.”
More recently, I remember my youngest grandson, Judah, sitting in the middle of that table at my latest residence. He was shoving pancakes in his mouth and saying, “Mmmmm”. The tears poured down my face. Unstoppable, just as they are now as I write this. “It’s only a table.”
It’s only a table that made so many moments of love so memorable. So many hands rested on that table. So much laughter resonated. So many conversations shared. So many tears shed. So many prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings God has rained down upon me and my loved ones. Now the table goes to another family to make their own memorable moments while gathered around it, as I now thank God for that table.
Psalm 77 says: “Once again, I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders…” I know the writer is talking about the ancient wonders God has done. I think of the old memories, ancient wonders that God has done too, around that oak table and whisper, “Thank you, God.”
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