You know how there are these little things, these tiny details, about home that make it home? Things that wouldn’t mean anything or hold any interest for anyone else, but mean the world to those who live there? My mom’s kitchen table is one of those things.
The table used to belong to her mom; one of just a few items my mom has that belonged to her. It isn’t much to look at: dark wooden legs that jut out from a two-tone tan, thin ceramic top. To me, it’s very 60′s looking, although it must have been purchased long before that. It has character and I would love to inherit it. It has sentimental value, it’s practical (with the ceramic top, you never have to worry about dings or scratches or setting hot pans down on top of it), and oh the memories it holds from my own childhood.
Last night my sister, brother and I were sitting at the table playing cards – a common sight when we’re together. And when we’re playing cards, we like to put our feet up on the little “shelves” created but the wooden beam that connects the four table legs. Because of a decorative piece that comes down from the box that the table top rests on, there is just enough space for one foot at each corner of the table. I’m making a mess of describing this, I know, but the point is that we all fight over whose foot gets to rest there. Getting one of those spots is a MAJOR victory. As we were playing cards, there may or may not have been a foot war, and my sister may or may not have tried to win by putting her cold, wet foot on top of mine – clearly hoping for a win-by-Ick Factor. Too bad I had socks on and didn’t care. Heh.
It’s just one of those simple things that means I’m home, among family, among people who appreciate my mom’s kitchen table and all of the memories it holds.
Tags: nostalgia
June 24, 2009 at 1:16 pm |
I. Completely. Understand. There are lots of completely not-awesome-to-anyone-else pieces of furniture or just..things that I feel this way about. My mom and dad’s old stereo (as in giant bohemoth wooden record player/radio stereo) that I spent my entire childhood propped in front of listening to Mickey and the Beanstalk.
And so many other things. Your post may not have set the world on fire, but it certainly sparked some wonderful memories. =)
June 24, 2009 at 2:37 pm |
The simple things are the sweetest!
June 25, 2009 at 11:42 am |
I love this post!
I know exactly what you are talking about. Thanks for sharing and making me slightly weepy (it’s okay, I’ve been like this most of the day!).
xo