The Magic Chair
January 21, 2008
When my first child was little, we splurged on the purchase of an all-purpose chair. It was made out of wood, and came with its own Allen wrench. The maker promised that we could reconfigure it over and over again. It could hold anyone from a six-month-old to a small adult. We were skeptical, but we needed somewhere to put the baby.
The chair has now lasted through two children, a succession of visiting nieces, nephews and cousins. It's comfortable enough that I don't mind sitting in it on occasion.
These days, it has returned to its baby formation. My granddaughter is using it as a high chair. Family meals are like that ever-changing chair. When we sit down to eat, they let us watch the babies across the table. Little by little, the young ones learn to feed themselves, talk, and listen. Eventually, they learn how to stand up and walk away.
But if there is something tasty and welcoming they will come back, at least for a visit. Although our meals together are always changing shape, they support us, they are impervious to the wear and tear of everyday life. They are a sturdy platform, making it easy for us to share something good to eat, and sharing each other as well.
Mealtimes Matter Video
from Miriam Weinstein
About Miriam
Miriam Weinstein is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. As a journalist, she has won several awards from the New England Press Association. Her work has appeared in Boston Magazine, the Boston Globe magazine, Hope, and ParentSource. A former staff member for North Shore Weeklies and freelancer for Essex County Newspapers, she writes restaurant reviews and food columns as well as features on a wide variety of subjects. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts, with her husband and has two grown children.
The Surprising Power of Family Meals
In her book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals, Miriam Weinstein shows how this basic human institution helps nourish and strengthen our families today. You can buy this book from our friends at Smucker's® Online Store.
