A Fable

Was life really like this? Was life ever like this? Dad comes home in a bad, grumpy mood, and his smiling beautiful daughter meets him at the door, shouting "Daddy, daddy." Then she quickly rushes to finish setting the table, while his wife calls his son downstairs. Son comes bounding down the stairs, gives him dad a kiss, and plunks himself at the table. Mom brings out steaming meal, fresh salad, good bread, and everyone has fun telling stories about their day.

That's the way family dinners are portrayed in Jimmy Stewart films, and that's what happened in my house last night. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. Of course, the kids ended up not liking the meatballs Christine cooked (pre-made from a local store), and Simon thought the pesto tasted funny, but for at least ten minutes there was peace and happiness and dinner reigned supreme.