Importance of Kitchen Table

“The Kitchen Table” (CV Sun, March 25) by Katherine Gould was delightful reading. You are so right! There is nothing better for families, large or small, than to gather around a kitchen table and share with each other.

The kitchen table, “the heart of your little home,” as you put it in your column, seems to be empty and devoid of family activities in many homes. Many adults and children seem to enjoy watching television, working or playing games on their computers, listening to music, or being otherwise singularly occupied, rather than enjoying quality time with each other. All of these devices are wonderful and have a place in our society, but they can easily be abused at the expense of family cohesiveness.

Our six children are grown up now and have families of their own, but they were taught to understand the importance of the kitchen table - or a similar gathering place - when they were with us. I am sure they have passed along this tradition to our grandchildren.

My wife and I still spend many happy hours at our kitchen table. And yes, it is also a very useful place for games. Some of our best conversations take place during domino games.

Thank you for your column, Katherine. It was a good remin-der to all of us that something so simple as a kitchen table can help keep families together.

Thomas Witherspoon

Minister

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta