Monday, November 16, 2009

Sunday Dinner



Whatever happened to Sunday dinner?

When I was a kid, we knew better than to stray too far from home on a Sunday afternoon, as Sunday dinner was served promptly at 2 or 3 pm. And we were expected to be there, no excuses. Sunday, for that matter, was family day and we could never really be too far from the sanctity of Sunday dinner.


What ever happened to Sunday dinner?

Maybe this is what's wrong with society today. Maybe a more than a few Sunday dinners could have prevented more than a few crimes. Maybe the power of a family sit down and disappointing mom was at one time much more powerful than the lure of the streets. Maybe that's naive.


What ever happened to Sunday dinner?

When did soccer games and hockey games become more important than family time? How did our seventh day of rest become the day that "works" for everyone to be at that tournament? When did a 6:30 am on Sunday morning game become the norm? Who has time to plan and cook Sunday dinner when Timmy has an all day lacrosse jamboree and Sally has 2 soccer games, one for town and one for her All-Star League in the western part of the state? The kids are lucky they get to experience the sanctity of their homework, never mind Sunday dinner.


What ever happened to Sunday dinner?

Where everyone can really talk about the things that are important to them and be part of something, no matter how young or old. It's nice to know that no matter where you are, you know that you can count on that Sunday dinner being family time. Because it's important to you, and it's important to them, and it's important to all of us. Your family.


What ever happened to Sunday dinner?

I can't say that I really know, but I do care enough to try to make Sunday dinner a priority in my own home. I do care enough to reach out to my extended family and find out "who's in on Sunday dinner"? My friends are also my family, and welcome at my table as much as my blood. I know that whatever is being served is a blessing, as much as the people who share it with me and that I can count on them, for anything.


And I know that I will make time for them every Sunday.


14 comments:

Jim said...

I just wish I'd been still eating my Sunday dinner last night, and missed the last minute of that game :-( . . .

XO

Scott Oglesby said...

A timely and eloquent post Candy. Being raised by a single mother, I enjoyed many Sunday dinners at my friends houses, which were always open to me. I married into a large Italian family and was in heaven for the 6 course 3 hour weekly feast. Your so right about how important that time is to stay close as a family!

Deech said...

You know? That is an inspiration to me...You have just given me something to think about regarding my own family.

Thanks....

Joanie said...

I can't remember the last time I had "Sunday dinner". Maybe when the kids are home for Thanksgiving (they go to their dad's for thanksgiving and christmas)

The Dental Maven said...

I'm totally with you on this one, Girl.

will said...

When our daughter was a teen we often encouraged her to ask her friends to stay with us for supper. Afterwards, it was common for her friends to say things like this:

"Your parents actually sit down and eat together?"

"Do your parents always have conversations during dinner?"

"How come you don't have a TV in the kitchen?"

"What's with the vegetables?"

June said...

Sunday dinners have been a favorite for many years. My youngest son (15 & last one at home) even digs a good family sit-down meal. Last night we ended up eating on TV trays watching the last of the packer game. That doesn't happen often here.(eating in front of the TV or the Packers actually winning!)

SkylersDad said...

You made me remember our Sunday dinners fondly, I particularly remember:

The sound of everyone devouring food like somebody was going to take it from them.

Dad threatening my with a knife if I dared to take that last piece of chicken.

Watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and getting to see yet another birth.

I keeeed, I keeeed, I had the best parents ever!

Cora said...

My daughter and I try to have sunday dinner with my mom every week. It doesn't always work out, but usually. Then the three of us sit down and watch America's Funniest Home Videos.

:-)

Cora said...

Y'know, I was just gonna tell you to keep a look out for my blog tomorrow morning because I'll be featuring your blog on it and that HILARIOUS wv captcha it gave me last week.... but looky here, it's giving me ANOTHER one! Right now it's telling me to "likaho"

Lick a ho.

I kid you not.

Pffft! Hee hee hee.

Ohhhh, Candy, I love you and your saucy blog!!!! ;-)

BeckEye said...

When I was little, my Dad used to take out his girlfriend, her daughter, and me to dinner and then we'd go visit someone or hit a movie. That was always kind of cool. These days, Sundays are for sleeping and football. That's also kind of cool.

Chris said...

I blame the Internet.

But on a happier note . . . FOURTH AND TWO ON YOUR OWN 28? Way to go, Belichoke.

Pop and Ice said...

We always have a Sunday Dinner, but we have dinner most nights anyway. So it's not so much a special dinner, but a continuation of our usually nightly dinner together. Which, I guess, is not so usual for most families anymore, which is sad. I imagine, once my kids flee the nest (soon, soon, fly away, fly away!), that Sunday Dinners will become more special - come on home for a free, and yummy, meal!

the walking man said...

Television happened to Sunday dinner.