Friday nights

When I was growing up, Friday nights were at MomMom's. Aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered every Friday night (with very few exceptions!) for dinner, talking (the adults), and playing. It was where birthdays were celebrated and the kids were allowed to roam the neighborhood together. I remember walks to the park (and catching crayfish - whatever did we do with them once we brought them home????), swinging in the backyard, and roller skating up and down the hills. It was a different time, when the kids could go on adventures together and no one accused the parents of "free ranging" us. We were just kids, a bunch of cousins making memories together. I think it continued well into my middle school years, likely due to the busyness of my younger brother and cousins.

I recently read of another large family who has a weekly family dinner planned; a night when the adult children have a standing invitation to return home - whenever they are in the area, and my mind immediately went back to those Friday nights. I shared my Friday night memories with the Good Doctor and we decided that this would be a great idea for us and that with two weddings on the horizon and another child possibly moving out this summer, there was no better time than the present to start. No obligations, just a standing invitation with the hope that it will be a desired event - and not just for the Mama who loves to see her family together.

This past Friday was our first attempt and right from the start we had to improvise, but that's what family is all about, right? HopeAnne had a track meet so we packed up a picnic and ate while she ran. Outwardly she wasn't always so pleased with her cheering section (especially when she was the only one who heard her name along with whoops and hollers - while running a warm-up spring), but inwardly it had to feel good to have so many family members there for her. And afterward we enjoyed family games around the table.

Here's to all the Friday nights in the future...