The Kids’ Table

The car turned off the main road and onto the gravel driveway. The distinctive sound of rocks under the tires meant his family had arrived. The little boy woke up and his eyes lit up with joy. It was Thanksgiving.  And they were FINALLY at his grandparents’ house.

All four of his grandparents lives in the same small town.  Every year, they’d rotate houses and invite the various extended family members to the annual family feast. There were the aunts and uncles. Cousins. Great aunts and uncles.  It was a DNA celebration flavored with love and laughter.

The car door slamming brought one of the grandparents out to greet them.  The door made a distinctive creak that only their door made. The little boy hopped out of the backseat and ran and gave his grandfather a huge hug.  The joy was highlighted by the smell of lunch wafting from the kitchen that his grandmother was preparing.  They had gotten into town just in time.

The mountains in the distance had snow on their peaks.  The cool Thanksgiving weather was only beat back by the warmth in the room.  The family lined up to get their turkey and fix their plates. Elderly great uncles would eat like they had not eaten all year long.  Plates were piled higher than the snow-capped mountains out the window.

There were two tables: An adult table and a kids’ table.  The little boy went to his assigned spot at the kids table — he so couldn’t wait until he graduated to the adult table. If he only knew what that meant.  Everyone held hands and the blessing was said — although the whole afternoon was a blessing.  The prayer was one bookend. A vast selection of desserts on the dessert table was the other. It was a fantastic feast.

After the meal, the Lions playing Green Bay and the couch called his name.  The little boy sat down, stretched out and fell fast asleep.

He awoke by someone jostling him awake. “Dad, wake up!” It’s time to eat!” He blinked twice and looked at his son — his dream of Thanksgiving past was over.  He got up and went to his seat at the adult table.

He looked over at the kids table and smiled a bittersweet smile.  And as he carved the turkey, he missed his grandparents so very much.