The dinner party was over. The guests left pieces of themselves at the table. Crumpled napkins, unfinished conversations, tidbits of food left uneaten, chairs askew, but mostly what was left was the memory of an evening full of conversation, laughter and some tears. A much needed time together after months of isolation. At last everyone was immunized, and this particular virus was brought to its knees. Finally they could gather close, finally hug and kiss. Touch again. It was a big celebration, also an anniversary of a shared loss. He showed up at the table in words, in the choices of the dishes served, in stories told. Standing at the end of time, it would be evenings like this that would be remembered. When mankind came together in kindness, empathy and understanding and yes, joy. The terrible swirling news would be a distant memory.
She sat back down at the table reviewing her day that started with going to her garden to pick a large bunch of ranunculus in reds, yellows and oranges, along with fresh lettuce leaves and a handful of basil. She chose the green and yellow tablecloth with the bee pattern because it said summer, setting out ten sets of freshly washed plates, glasses and silverware and stood back to admire her table. Then there was the menu. She thought back about the dishes she made. He loved meatloaf and mashed potatoes, not a summer meal, but she wanted to make a dish to honor him. Taking it up a notch, she made a Greek version with cooling feta and mint served with potatoes, garlic and basil. She made a large summer green salad with nectarines and blueberries, and his chocolate cake recipe for dessert, the one so many at the table enjoyed. Finally the pandemic was over and one of the best parts of normal was back. A celebratory feast full of friends with a shared purpose and an appreciation of what is important.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Birdland Journal Founder and Editor Sharon H. Smith is a writer/poet and is a member of Laguna Writers of San Francisco and has enjoyed writing with The Writing Salon’s Round Robin. Along with cooking, traveling, drawing, she has produced Birdland Writing Retreats and Workshops in West Sonoma County where she lives with her husband and frequent collaborator, David Wakely. Her work has been published in From the Depths by Haunted Waters Press, Lake: A Collections of Voices, Juddhill.com, gravelmag.com, Tell Us A Story Blog, Eunoia Review, Adanna Literary Journal, Dime Show Review, Glassworks Magazine and has written essays for KQED Perspectives. Her book, Held: A Father Lost and Found was published by Red Bird Chapbooks. You can learn more about her at www.savorsmith.com.