Let us Pway...

Every night before dinner we give thanks to God for our many blessings, not the least of which is the meal we are about to eat.

Hand in hand, our family of four... linked in love, faith and gratitude. 

I love this nightly view... little sets of hands clutching the grown up ones. Our little family joining together to recognise something bigger than ourselves. Slowing down, coming together, looking 'up'.

We don't require the kids to hold hands but when they are big enough to join us for dinner as babies we would usually just casually place our hands on the high chair for the prayer. It did not take long before even as babies they would want to join in the fun, clutching our hands, squeezing little eyes shut and showing remarkable self-control in not eating the meal before them until we are done (well, Eli sometimes nabs a little bite mid-way through before quickly shutting eyes again as if it never happened - he's a toddler after all!). Eli is a staunch advocate of the family prayer. If you should forget due to rushing or something, he bellows 'PWAY, PWAY!!!!' to gently remind us. At the end of each prayer he finishes up with yelling  'MAMEN!!!' with relish!

Daddy usually says the prayer but in recent months, Lily often requests to pray or at least add a few things in. Her prayers are funny, touching, honest, direct and inspiring.... a simple and sweet chat with her friend, God. She has brought more than a few dinner guests to tears with her heart-felt and innocent prayers for babies in bellies, anyone who has any sickness or injury (she never forgets anyone who is sick.... ever!), for friends, for family, for friend's pets (really) and of course our two chickens and the eggs they give us!

I am a staunch advocate and protector of the family dinner time, even in these messy, noisy and often chaotic early years. More than a family tradition, it is, I feel, part of what binds our family together, as it's pretty much the only time we are all assembled regularly in one place every day for any true length of time. Something I hope the kids will grow up remembering as part of our family identity - that ritual, the conversations, the sharing together. Beginning our meal in prayer sets the tone, and helps us remember and be grateful to He who blessed us so richly not only with food, home, friends and jobs but our most rich and precious blessings... each other.



PS. I realise the bowl set before Eli looks rather like gruel or something, but it's actually a zucchini and mushroom bisque... can't be too bad as he ate three bowls full!