Quality Family Time – Second Time Around

A curious thing happened today. At about 4 p.m. I was trailed into the kitchen by my two young adult children. Though they have each lived away from home, for various reasons both are under my roof again for a time. Our home is large enough that we keep to our own spaces most of the time we are here together, and each prepares his/her own meals according to taste and schedule. So, unlike when they were young, it was a moment of note that we three had arrived in the kitchen at the same time.

But being together was natural enough that we just chatted not aware anything were amiss. After about ten minutes, when there was a lull in the conversation, my son asked, “Is anyone having trouble with the internet?” Simultaneously, my daughter and I said, “Yes!” And immediately we laughed, knowing that for each of us, the trip to the kitchen was a snack break while we suffered through the frustration of not being able to get online. We all realized, and verbalized, how sad it is that we have become this way!

Through the years when my children were young, our home had a large L-shaped kitchen. It seemed as if the rest of the house were superfluous, needed only for bathing and sleeping. I know we each thought of those times today as we recognized our current style of living. And how almost pathetic we said, that a blip in the internet service was the impetus for our togetherness moment.

Note to self:  plan a family dinner soon, just like we used to have, every day, in the old days! Chicken nuggets, anyone?