Sunday, November 23, 2003
Sunday Supper
Yup. It's that time again: Sunday.
For different people, Sunday invokes different thoughts. Sleeping in, church, sports, Sunday drives, Sunday drivers, a/the day of rest (at least before Sunday shopping was created), or "easy like Sunday morning". For me, Sunday means one thing above all... Supper.
Ever since I was a teenager, my family did Sunday Supper. My family was so busy with various activities, sports, socializing, work, school, etc., that we never seemed to be able to sit down as a family and eat a meal. And if we did, we needed to be somewhere else, and soon, so we scarfed it down as if we'd been starved for a week. My mom was afraid that instead of being a family, we were just four people who lived in the same house. Thus, Sunday Supper was invoked.
The basic premise is this: you are not *obliged* to be home for Sunday Supper, but you are requested to make an effort to be there. So, if a better offer comes along (say a concert, friends in town, or some-such, or if you really aren't up to it), you can skip Sunday Supper, but it's still a standing date.
Sunday Supper is usually a medium-to-big production. Dessert is a must, so you know it's special. :) Main course tends to be things like roast beef, turkey, chicken, or lasagna. You know, the meals that take too long to prepare during the week. Sometimes we have what I consider standard week fare: spaghetti, stir-fry, shepherd's pie. It really doesn't matter what we eat, as long as we eat together.
My widower grandfather came over every Sunday. I remember he started coming when my grandmother went in the hospital, and for years later, until he passed over to be with her.
It kept him involved in his family's life, and got him a home-cooked meal to boot. Oh, and dessert. Puppas *loved* dessert. My mom would usually make up a "doggy-bag" for him to take home. Most of my favorite memories of him are from Sunday Supper. I remember hearing stories of his navy days, his pets, and of course, slipping treats to the dogs. There was no point in telling him not to feed the dogs. He'd just do it when you weren't looking. :)
Well, I'm no longer a teenager, being 31, but I still look forward to going home on Sundays for Sunday Supper. The table's somewhat crowded now, with 9 people: Mum & Dad, DSis, BIL, DNiece, Myself, DH, DS, and DD.
I love the fact that my children get to spend time with their extended family every week. I love that I get to see my sister every week. I love not having to cook one day a week. :) My parents love touching base with their girls and their families.
My mom is the envy of many women. After all, how many families these days have a standing date? A weekly family reunion, so to speak?
For my mom, I think the pinnacle of Sunday Supper success happened when I was pregnant with DS. I had perpetual morning sickness, and frequent migraines in my first trimester. Now, when I get a migraine, I just want the world to shut up and go away. I lock myself in a dark room, use earplugs, and sleep until it goes away. Well, when it happened on Sundays, DH went to Sunday Supper without me. There was nothing he could do for me, so I told him to go without me. My mom was so impressed. "After all," she once told me, "I can't be that bad of a MIL if my Son-IL will come over for supper by himself." :)
So think about this... If you're within any reasonable distance from your family, arrange for a regular reunion. Don't wait for the special occasions or holidays. It doesn't have to be Sunday Supper. It can be brunch, or a weeknight evening of games, or afternoon tea. If there's a moderate amount of distance, meet halfway for coffee. If you can't do it weekly, do it bi-weekly, or even monthly. But I encourage you to do it.
In our busy world, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle. Sure, you call, but then the calls get less frequent, and the e-mails only happen when something important occurs, and next thing you know, you haven't seen them in weeks or months. It's a sad state of affairs when you can e-mail around the world, but you can't drive around the block to visit.
And after all, the way to the heart is through the stomach... :)
For different people, Sunday invokes different thoughts. Sleeping in, church, sports, Sunday drives, Sunday drivers, a/the day of rest (at least before Sunday shopping was created), or "easy like Sunday morning". For me, Sunday means one thing above all... Supper.
Ever since I was a teenager, my family did Sunday Supper. My family was so busy with various activities, sports, socializing, work, school, etc., that we never seemed to be able to sit down as a family and eat a meal. And if we did, we needed to be somewhere else, and soon, so we scarfed it down as if we'd been starved for a week. My mom was afraid that instead of being a family, we were just four people who lived in the same house. Thus, Sunday Supper was invoked.
The basic premise is this: you are not *obliged* to be home for Sunday Supper, but you are requested to make an effort to be there. So, if a better offer comes along (say a concert, friends in town, or some-such, or if you really aren't up to it), you can skip Sunday Supper, but it's still a standing date.
Sunday Supper is usually a medium-to-big production. Dessert is a must, so you know it's special. :) Main course tends to be things like roast beef, turkey, chicken, or lasagna. You know, the meals that take too long to prepare during the week. Sometimes we have what I consider standard week fare: spaghetti, stir-fry, shepherd's pie. It really doesn't matter what we eat, as long as we eat together.
My widower grandfather came over every Sunday. I remember he started coming when my grandmother went in the hospital, and for years later, until he passed over to be with her.
It kept him involved in his family's life, and got him a home-cooked meal to boot. Oh, and dessert. Puppas *loved* dessert. My mom would usually make up a "doggy-bag" for him to take home. Most of my favorite memories of him are from Sunday Supper. I remember hearing stories of his navy days, his pets, and of course, slipping treats to the dogs. There was no point in telling him not to feed the dogs. He'd just do it when you weren't looking. :)
Well, I'm no longer a teenager, being 31, but I still look forward to going home on Sundays for Sunday Supper. The table's somewhat crowded now, with 9 people: Mum & Dad, DSis, BIL, DNiece, Myself, DH, DS, and DD.
I love the fact that my children get to spend time with their extended family every week. I love that I get to see my sister every week. I love not having to cook one day a week. :) My parents love touching base with their girls and their families.
My mom is the envy of many women. After all, how many families these days have a standing date? A weekly family reunion, so to speak?
For my mom, I think the pinnacle of Sunday Supper success happened when I was pregnant with DS. I had perpetual morning sickness, and frequent migraines in my first trimester. Now, when I get a migraine, I just want the world to shut up and go away. I lock myself in a dark room, use earplugs, and sleep until it goes away. Well, when it happened on Sundays, DH went to Sunday Supper without me. There was nothing he could do for me, so I told him to go without me. My mom was so impressed. "After all," she once told me, "I can't be that bad of a MIL if my Son-IL will come over for supper by himself." :)
So think about this... If you're within any reasonable distance from your family, arrange for a regular reunion. Don't wait for the special occasions or holidays. It doesn't have to be Sunday Supper. It can be brunch, or a weeknight evening of games, or afternoon tea. If there's a moderate amount of distance, meet halfway for coffee. If you can't do it weekly, do it bi-weekly, or even monthly. But I encourage you to do it.
In our busy world, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle. Sure, you call, but then the calls get less frequent, and the e-mails only happen when something important occurs, and next thing you know, you haven't seen them in weeks or months. It's a sad state of affairs when you can e-mail around the world, but you can't drive around the block to visit.
And after all, the way to the heart is through the stomach... :)
# posted by SilverFlame @ 3:45 p.m. 
