Day 5: Wrapping up

Yesterday was the 5th and final day of my Family Dinner Challenge! For dinner, I made vegetable-rice soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. It was simple, but delicious. I also put a plate of salami and cheese on the table as an option for Mariana, since she isn't a soup fan. She ate salami and she did also have a few bites of a sandwich.

All in all, I think my Family Dinner Challenge was a success. Although I usually cook dinner every night, doing this personal challenge inspired me to be a little more creative. It also made me think even more about the purpose of family dinners and why I think they are so important. I went to the Holy Thursday Mass on Thursday evening, which is a commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. As I reflected on the symbolism of the Last Supper, my mind then drifted to Family Dinners. Throughout human history, in all cultures that I'm aware of, families and friends have gathered around the table to tell stories, to celebrate milestones, to offer comfort to one another and to, of course, share food. Every time we sit with our families at the table, whether it's to celebrate a birthday, a holiday or it's just another Thursday, we are sharing in a very human tradition. Sadly, it seems that this tradition is starting to be lost in our society. It seems in many families, more meals are eaten in the minivan than at home around the table. And, to many, this probably seems harmless. However, if we completely lose the tradition of sharing meals with our families on a regular basis, we may not be fully aware of the ramifications before it is too late.

Fortunately, based on the many comments and stories I received on this blog or on Facebook, many of you are keeping the Family Dinner tradition strong! You shared stories of having dinner with your families every night as you were growing up and shared about how you continued that with your own children. Some of you admitted that you don't have dinner together as frequently as you would like, but you're making an effort to make it happen when possible. I hope you all know that by putting in the little extra effort to make dinner and get your family to the table, even for 30 minutes a day, you are giving your children such a benefit! Afterall, children who eat regular meals with their families tend to have higher grades, have better self-esteem, are more polite and make healthier food choices, among many other things.

As I wrap up this project, I want to thank all of you for reading my blog and for offering your support. You have inspired me. I hope I have done the same for you. I wish many meals with your family...at the table.