THE TABLE

I can almost smell the aroma of a home cooked meal.  I can see the long wooden table with the eight (8) chairs.  I can see a hand-starched linen tablecloth and matching napkins.  I see fresh cut flowers in the middle of that table,  that Mama had picked early in the morning.  I can hear the sound of laughter of a family gathered together to share memories and hot food.
I see my dear old DAD as he bows his head to pray.  Never a meal was served at the table  that Daddy did not say "Thanks" to the good man up above for our many blessings.  Mama's table was a welcome place for family, friends, and even from time to time a wayfaring stranger.  Mama had very little it seemed,  (at times I wondered if we would have enough),  But Mama never worried...she just knew that GOD would supply our needs.  I was amazed at times when not only did we have enough,  but most of the time we still had food left over.  THAT always amazed me.

Life changed quickly for me.  I thought I would live in that small town, with my family and friends,  and be buried alongside that sweet man I called Daddy.  But one day I left that little place to find a life with my husband and new little baby girl.  I faced a lot of trials and heartaches, and shed a lot of tears,  but my upbringing in that home assured me that I would make it through and that GOD would meet the needs of me and my little girl when I became a single mom.
Just like in the days with my Mama and Daddy I prayed to the good man up above in thanks for the food on our table, shoes on our feet, and roof over our head, and especially all the "little blessings " he sent our way from time to time.

I miss the table where Daddy read to me the bible by an old oil light,  where we ate the best food any one could ever have, cooked by Mama's hands with love, and where laughter rang out like music as our families came together in love.  Now I close my eyes  so that I can smell once again the aroma that warmed my heart, So that I can see the loved ones that I can not see anymore,  and so that I can  hear the precious  laughter that filled  my life with joy when I was a little girl.  I thank GOD now for all those LITTLE BLESSINGS I came to know at "THE TABLE,  WITH EIGHT (8) CHAIRS.