My favorite place in any house has always been the kitchen.

A place to create and try out new recipes and favorite old ones.

A coffee pot perking away.

A pot on the stove bubbling up something good.

A pan of bread baking in the oven.

Goodness! I’m hungry just thinking about the smells!

But more than anything else, it is the gathering around the table.

Whether two or 20, or more.

The laughter.

The stories that are told.

The stupid dad jokes and bad puns that come out of nowhere.

The craziness and loudness of running over one another.

And then, the silence.

Oh, the silence.

To sit at the table for those first bites.

Or perhaps one is upset over something and just needs a moment for composure.

From births to funerals – some of the sweetest gatherings have been in the kitchen.

From police officers to hoboes – all drinking coffee and eating a meal, with no past claiming victory over the plate.

From a baby getting a bottle while being held to helping an older one hold a fork.

Life.

Around the table, in the kitchen.

 

“Are you hungry sweetie? Well, come on in and grab a chair! I’ll get you a plate.”