Recounting the Days of Sit-Down Meals

The Times’ article on sit-down eating (Nov. 23) made me sad and glad. Sad for the young families that are missing the fun of sharing that sit-down eating provides. Glad for the memories I have of our family (all nine of us) kneeling at our chairs around the breakfast table while our father (and occasionally our mother) gave a lengthy prayer beseeching heavenly help for all of us. And we needed it. While our parents were humbly praying, we younger kids were beneath the table making funny faces at each other while the older ones were kicking at us to be quiet. As soon as we heard “Amen,” we jumped on our chairs, folded our arms and waited until father began passing the bowls of food with jokes and laughter. I remember it all as great fun and love for all those around the table.

A generation later, married with three children, we all sat down together for breakfast (sans prayer) and dinner. At breakfast, everybody talked at once of what had to be done and, at dinner, cried or laughed or growled about what had happened during the day. If we were going out for dinner, one of us sat with the children while they ate, so they could tell and we could learn of their joys and sorrows of the day.

I think Dr. Chew should do more research. I don’t believe we were part of a deviant group of parents. We spent lots of time with our children, took vacations and were active in PTA and youth-group activities, and our patterns of eating seemed to be the same as the rest of the community.

But now, retired and alone, when we eat at home, we eat in front of the TV. The real sad part is, we like it this way.

DORA FREESTONE

Laguna Hills