Guess What?

The Dinner Table

It seems like the the family gathering for dinner at the end of the day is becoming a lost art, what with our busy schedules. Commuting home from work, only to have to load up someone to transport them to an activity, meeting or lessons. This has a lot of us on the Drive-Thru track for meals, and without time to converse and inquire of one another of the day's events.

When I was a young girl, television was expressly forbidden during dinner time, and everyone was encouraged to contribute to the table talk. It bonded us as a family with ties that last to this day, even though we are approaching our 50's.

My sisters and I may not have dinner every night, but we continue to call and talk with each other several times a week. My own children, now in their 20's, have such hectic schedules that I count it precious, every day we can sit down and be a family and enjoy a meal, conversation and love. I don't even mind doing the dishes!

We talk about each others' hopes and fears, sales at favorite stores, world and national news and sports. We tease and cajole each other, weaving comfort and security with every word and every bite. We give critiques on new recipes, with nary a fast food wrapper in sight and the camaraderie just flows about us as we immerse ourselves in family time.


Donna Gayler



Donna Gayler lives in Southern California where she volunteers for many community and charitable organizations, and is a political enthusiast.

Ms. Donna, not only did you write a very thought provoking essay, you wrote it beautifully!

Thank you, Ma'am!

I grew up with a family dinner table, though when my grandmother served TV dinners they were always served in the living room in front of the TV. We sat down in the evening and talked.

I do the same think in my home. There is never any television at dinner time. That is our time to talk to the boys and each other, to share our days. I don't know of anyone else in the neighborhood that does that. Most people have their dining room in the family room and have their beg TV's going. Worse, I know several that have a TV in each bedroom and the kids just disappear with their dinner.

It is a sad state of affairs.

We have TVs in every bedroom, but I don't allow eating in the bedrooms-ever. I found that my kids wouldn't bring their dirty dishes out, so I put the kibosh on that!

That leaves the family room and the dining room table as the only options for eating. The family room table is too small(it is a coffee table with a top that lifts like a giant TV tray) and is only used when two or less people are present for a meal. The table in the dining area of the kitchen is where most of our meals are eaten.

I applaud you, Frank, for continuing your family tradition with your kids. Too bad more people don't follow your example!

It is probably becasue this is a late in life family. The 20 and 30 somethings grew up with TV 24/7. I still remember getting up to watch cartoons and watching the Test pattern.



I, we, grew up in a different world. Sometimes I grieve for that long dead place.