Sitting Down for Supper

Growing up, sitting down for dinner was very important in my family.  My mom would fix dinner and call us in there to set the table.  My sister and/or I would normally linger and chat about our day.  We would have to drag my dad in from whatever yard work or garage piddling he was doing and we would sit and eat dinner as a family.  Again, we would chat about our days, debate about whatever Dan Rather was talking about on the news, and who was doing what the next day. 

Of course I'm probably romanticizing this, but I do remember that being the way it was, regardless of if my mom remembers me as a sullen teen. 

Now that I'm the mom, and as much as we can, we sit down to dinner as a family and chat about our day.  We learn about who did what to whom, who got in trouble and what they did to get in trouble, and talk about what we want to do over the weekend.  But sometimes, we have rare learning moments. 

But tonight I had one from Holly that really made me sit and think.  I know these days and conversations are going to happen, but man, she's only six. 

In the past, we've been shocked with "Mom, did you know that so-and-so doesn't believe in God?!?"  I handled that one pretty well I think.  Tonight's random Holly thought topped that one...  well, at least it did in my book.  So here is our conversation:

Holly: Mom, did you know that, in Korea, they don't do marriage like we do. It is SO unfair!

Chris: How do you mean?

H: Well, whoever has the power, like, says you are going to marry him. 

C: Really?

H: Yeah.  So they have to get married.  And they're not even in LOVE.  That is SO unfair!  Don't you think?

C: Yeah, I do think that's unfair Holly. 

H:  Because when I get married, I'm going to be in LOVE.  Like you and Daddy are in love, right?

C:  That is absolutely right honey.


Seriously, she's six.....   going on sixteen!    I really wish I could capture the attitude, inflection, and nonverbal gestures during this conversation.