The Family Table

A Thanksgiving Reflection on Family, Gratitude, and Connection

"The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.⁠
The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since
creation, and it will go on.⁠
We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape
their knees under it.⁠
It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We
make men at it, we make women.⁠
At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.⁠
Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They
laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together
once again at the table.⁠
This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.⁠
Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of
terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.⁠
We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.⁠
At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We
give thanks.⁠
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying,
eating of the last sweet bite." 
— Words from ‘The Woman Who Fell From the Sky’ by Joy Harjo

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, Joy Harjo's words remind us of the profound role this humble piece of furniture plays in our lives. The kitchen table, in all its simplicity, is more than a surface for meals—it is a keeper of memories, a witness to joy and sorrow, and the heart of our homes. It is where humanity is forged, shaped, and celebrated.

The Kitchen Table: A Place of Connection

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the significance of the table. It is where generations come together—grandparents, parents, and children—sharing stories, traditions, and laughter. It is where we remind ourselves of life’s simplest and most meaningful gifts: family, food, and connection.

At this table, we find a space that equalizes us. Regardless of what we have or lack, when we sit down together, we are all equals. We share the same food, the same space, and often, the same stories. The distractions of life—work, screens, and worries—are pushed aside, and we are present with one another, savoring the moment. Whether passing mashed potatoes or lingering over pie, we create memories that sustain us long after the meal is over.

Lessons at the Table

It is here, at the kitchen table, that some of life’s greatest lessons are learned. We learn patience while waiting for a meal, gratitude for what is shared, and love in the small gestures of care—offering the last roll or pouring someone’s drink before our own.

“We make men at it, we make women.” These words from Harjo capture the essence of how the table shapes us. Values, traditions, and wisdom are passed down here, one conversation, one meal, and one shared moment at a time. It is where we grow as individuals and as families, gaining strength from each other.

A Table of Reflection

Thanksgiving is also a time of reflection, a moment to honor those who are no longer with us. The empty chair at the table may be a silent reminder of loss, but it is also a celebration of the love and memories those individuals have left behind. Their presence is felt in the stories we tell, the recipes we cherish, and the traditions we uphold.

At the same time, the table is a place of hope and dreams. As we sit together, we nourish not just our bodies but our aspirations and futures. In laughter and in tears, we find strength in each other, knowing that the bonds we share are enduring.

The Table as a Witness to Life

The table has seen it all: celebrations, challenges, and everything in between. It has been a refuge during life’s storms and a space for triumphs, both small and large. As Harjo writes, it is where wars have begun and ended, but it is also where quiet victories—the ones that matter most—are celebrated. Simply being present with one another, showing love and gratitude, is a victory in itself.

This Thanksgiving, as we sit down for our holiday meal, let us recognize the sacredness of this space. The table is where we give thanks for what we have, reflect on what we’ve overcome, and dream of what is to come. It is where the world begins—and perhaps, as Harjo suggests, where it ends—with love, laughter, and connection.

A Thanksgiving Wish

As you gather around your table this year, take a moment to appreciate all that it holds: the food prepared with care, the faces of loved ones, and the memories that are being created. Let it remind you of the richness of life, the value of connection, and the beauty of being together.

May your Thanksgiving table be filled with warmth, love, laughter, and gratitude. From all of us at B&B Luxury Properties, we wish you a joyous holiday surrounded by family, friends, and the moments that make life extraordinary.

https://bandbluxuryproperties.com/agent/denise-edelblut

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