Sunday lunches will always be reunion time with my wife’s family. It is always a long lunch with lots of chikahan about the kids, latest finds, love, lives and successes.
One Sunday night, as I was tucking my eldest son Aidan, in to bed, I asked, “Are you happy about playing with your cousins today?” Aidan paused, smiled and replied, “Yes, Poppa, I’m happy!” At that point, it dawned on me that these routine family meals are anything but simple gatherings. These are precious memories that Aidan and his cousins will have to reminisce over down the road.
Looking back, I realized that the values of prioritizing the family, generosity and being grateful for the small things, which are central to our lives now, can be traced to the regular meals we have shared as a family. Waiting for everyone to be seated at the table before eating taught me to drop whatever I am doing and be there for the family. Sharing or splitting the last pieces of our favorite adobo chicken fosters the share-with-others virtue. Prayers before the meal, thanking the Lord for the food on the table and the opportunity to be alive and together as a family, taught me not to take anything for granted.
Simple family meals, though routine, if done right, can define a childhood worth remembering. Simple family meals with well-cooked food don’t only make a child full; they make a child full of values.
On that Sunday night, as I kissed Aidan good night, I told him, “We will see your cousins again next Sunday.” He closed his eyes and said goodnight to me with a smile.