The Grandchildren's Table Poem by Jim Yerman

There was a time when I had more hair and I was, I imagine, a little thinner…when our family gathered around one table to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.

But as our family grew and our table didn't…as a family we were no longer able…to sit together in one spot…so we added…the grandchildren's table.

To make life easy and to make sure the rest of our family fit…with the grandchildren at the grandchildren's table is where I chose to sit.

As far as I was concerned I had won the Thanksgiving prize…I could listen to the adult conversation while seeing the world through my grandchildren's eyes.

It's funny how all the grandchildren aspired to be at the table where all the adults were meeting…while I was happy on a stool at the grandchildren's table…watching…listening…and eating.

For years this was our seating arrangement on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day…until all that changed when our eldest son, Bryan, decided to move away.

So Damien moved up to the adult table just a few steps across the floor…meaning the grandchildren's table which once had five…was now reduced to four.

Bonnie was the next to move…Taylor moved into her seat with glee…which meant sitting at the grandchildren's table left only Aden and Ava…and me.

This year eight people made it to our Thanksgiving dinner and so, it was conceded…our dining room table was big enough and the grandchildren's table was not needed

I understand the mathematics…how around one table we all can fit…but that didn't stop me from looking over and remembering the place…where I use to sit.

Looking back to a time when getting our entire family together was easy…
back to a little table where so many wonderful memories lie…
back, when I sat with my grandchildren and saw the world through younger…more innocent eyes.

Which makes me hope and pray for the day…when our entire family is here again and once again we find it fitting…to bring out the grandchildren's table…
I know where I'll be sitting.