The kitchen table holds great significance for me as a place of relaxation and bonding with my family. Throughout my life, it has been a gathering spot for celebrations, discussions, seeking solace, or simply enjoying each other’s company. In the past, it brought my family together, while now it aids in focusing on school work and having catch-up conversations with loved ones. Looking ahead, I aspire to create a similar environment at my own kitchen table but infused with my personal touch.
Throughout my childhood, I resided in a bustling three-bedroom house with my mother and three siblings. Regrettably, I seldom had the opportunity to see my mother due to her constant work commitments. To entertain myself, I would dash down the street alongside fellow children from the area. The most cherished recollections of that period are the extended summer days dedicated to engaging in games such as tag, hide and seek, basketball, foursquare, and engaging in water balloon battles with friends on our block. Instead of allowing us to create havoc within her orderly abode, my mother preferred if we spent the entire day playing outdoors.
As the sun started setting behind the rooftops, the sky transitioned from a bright light blue to a beautiful tan orange and pinkish hue, indicating it was time for me to head home. Before I could sit at the kitchen table, my mom insisted I wash up. The table was an elongated piece of wood that had the capacity to accommodate 6 individuals, but could also be adjusted to seat just four people by lowering the two sides using a switch lock mechanism. It had a unique shape, resembling a long round rectangle, and unfortunately, the chairs were not very comfortable to sit on.
My mother would always decorate the table with a tablecloth that matched the season and place placemats in front of each seat. The center of the table always had a rooster centerpiece and a bowl of artificial fruit beside it. There was a napkin dispenser that didn’t coordinate with the salt and pepper shakers or the rooster centerpiece. All of these items were inexpensive finds my mom liked from thrift stores, but they didn’t have a cohesive theme. They were simply placed together.
In my memories, the kitchen table was always the center of attention. It served as a place of comfort and joy, filled with delicious food and desserts. My sisters and I would gather around it daily, sharing stories of our day. This was the one spot where our entire family would come together. Before every meal, my mother would lead us in singing our traditional Tagalog song, “ang sarap ng luto si mami!” which means “how tasty my mommy’s food is!” Currently, I reside with my mom in her new four-bedroom house, an upgrade from our previous home. Although she still maintains the same wooden table that can accommodate six people, she has added more elegant centerpieces and matching salt and pepper shakers. Gone are the days of tacky tablecloths and placemats, as we are now adults who can eat properly. Occasionally, we gather at the dinner table if one of us finds time to cook, or we simply enjoy fast food together.
We still discuss our daily experiences at the table, but not as frequently as before. Now, the table is primarily used for studying and is cluttered with backpacks, college books, papers, snacks, laptops, and seldomly with a proper dinner. In the future, I aspire to have a chic kitchen table with six seats occupied by family members, whether it’s my own future spouse and children or my sisters and their kids. I yearn to have the dining table arranged for my family and relish in our gatherings where we can converse and relax after our eventful days.
I desire laughter and joy to emanate from my kitchen table, transforming it into a symbol of unity and exclusivity. Upon contemplation, I have come to acknowledge the deep emotional bond I have formed with this space. From my earliest memories to the present moment, and with anticipation for the times to come, I affirm that I cherish the importance of my kitchen table and intend to share precious moments there with a select few.
