The family dinner table is more than just a space to eat; it is the training ground for our children, the forum for our families, and the sanctuary for our souls.” – Rabbi Irwin Kula
Her Table
We sat
after Sunday Service.
Mom’s labor:
roast, mashed potatoes,
homemade gravy, corn,
string beans.
Bread warm,
salad crisp with garden-grown
tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes.
Now, sons and daughters
bear gifts:
roasted carrots,
sliced ham,
buttered rolls.
We set her table,
dishes passed hand to hand.
Mom sits,
her work now resting
in hands she once fed.
Table extends,
holding space
to feed us all.
Memory Challenge
Think back to a favorite memory with your mother. How did she show her love?
Try writing a short poem or reflection that captures that memory. Use metaphors to make it vivid and powerful. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Weathered knitting needles
- Porch rocking chair
- Sunlit garden path
- Worn leather recipe book
- Handwritten letter
- Flickering candle
- Silver locket
- Wooden spice rack
- Flowered apron
- Braided rug
Your Turn:
Write a few lines that capture what it represents about your mother. You might be surprised at what comes to the surface.
Would you like me to write a sample metaphor using one of these as inspiration? Or does it feel ready as is?