A place at the table

There's a song by American country supergroup The Highwomen called 'Crowded Table'. The song centers around a narrator who hopes to welcome many people to the table in her home, a place where they will presumably break bread and make memories.

The group, made up of singers Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile and Natalie Hemby (each well known and respected in their own solo careers) sings about making a home that's welcoming to all.

The door is always open

Your picture's on my wall

Everyone's a little broken

And everyone belongs

It's a beautiful message of belonging. The setting, a large table inside a comfortable home may be familiar to you -- or perhaps something you've always dreamed of.

Dining tables are a funny thing. They can spend days acting as a crafting space for toddlers; a homework desk for school kids; a wide open area where parents can spread bills and budgets ahead of tax time. But at the end of any given night, most return to their rightful duty as a place where loved ones gather for a meal.

The table is a place of memories.

In my home, our table is where we end each night together. It's where we go around and share our favorite part of the day over shared serving bowls and plates. The table is the place we reconvene after running in different directions all day long -- to work, school, the grocery store, the gym, etc.

This month, we're asking you to think about your most poignant memories from around the table. Here are three questions to get you started:

• Did your family gather for dinner when you were young? If so, what did those meals typically look like?

• What is the funniest thing you remember happening at your family table?

• What is one meal you'd love to learn to cook and share with your loved ones and what makes it special to you?

For additional questions and prompts to help you record your life story and share your memories, consider our DIY Memoir Workbook. It's available anytime at memoriesinwriting.com

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dinnerware-set-on-brown-wooden-table-262882/