The Timeless Feast: Family Dinners Through Generations

Family gatherings can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Political debates, personal differences, and the sheer length of time spent together can make these events feel like they will never end. But what if we looked at these dinners differently? What if we saw them as a way to connect with our past and future?

Thornton Wilder's Insight

Thornton Wilder, a famous American writer, explored this idea in his play "The Long Christmas Dinner." In this play, a family sits down for a Christmas dinner that spans 90 years. The older members bring the past with its lessons and regrets, while the younger ones carry the future with its hopes and uncertainties.

The Stage and Symbolism

The play is set on a stage with two arches:

• One arch is decorated with flowers, representing birth.
• The other is draped in black, symbolizing death.

At the table, four generations of the family eat, talk, and share their lives. They argue, joke, pray, and reminisce, just like any typical family dinner.

A Beautiful Reminder

Wilder's play is a beautiful reminder that family dinners are more than just meals. They are a way to connect with our past and future. They are a time machine that brings together different eras at a single table.

So, the next time you find yourself at a family dinner, try to see it as a chance to connect with your family's history and future.