We bought this table before Joel was born. I had imagined many little heads sitting around it. I had imagined family dinners with everyone sharing what they learned at school, or passing the mashed potatoes around. I had pictured it covered in newspaper for craft projects or pumpkin carving or even gingerbread house decorating. I saw children and their friends sitting around it working on school projects. Already it has been well loved and been dented by cutlery and toys, but I don't care.
But when the four of us sit around the table, it feels empty. With Mieka in her highchair next to me at one end, Joel and Daddy seem so very far away at the other. But that dream of having the table filled with many little heads seems unlikely. The thought of having 4 or 5 children today is unthinkable. There is no way I could manage that many. So that brings us down to 3; one more than I have now. And on some days (most days) the thought of having 3 children seems unthinkable. But I am holding on, unable to decide, because I can't let go of that dream around my kitchen table.
7 comments:
I love your table!
And it may have just the feel you dream of when Joel and Mieka both start inviting their friends over for dinner, sleepovers, school projects, and more!
My table was my grandma's. It doesn't match my decor but I have so many happy memories of that table and of her that I couldn't part with it for anything. I'm going to have a 3rd little head at my table soon, and it scares me a bit too. I wouldn't say give up on your dream, just modify it. 2-3 little heads talking away about their days, trying to be the loudest wiill seem like 6 I'm sure!
Someone told us, when we were thinking of having a third, that if we were remoting considering the idea, we should go for it. And it was so worth it!
I always felt when we sat down at our (large) kitchen table that someone was missing. Now that we have #3, I don't feel that way anymore -- I look around the table at all the business and mess and craziness and it seems complete.
Good thing you have time to make a decision!
I would not rush into making any final decision either way right now. If you were to have a third, it wouldn't be right away anyways, so take your time. What seems totally overwhelming today, might not be so daunting in 2 years.
I love your kitchen and your table! Ours is quite a bit smaller, and cramming five people around it is a little crowded.
Three is exponentially more challenging than two, it's true, but exponentially more rewarding. I've never even remotely regretted having three -- if finances and my age had permitted, I might have even considered four! I'll be the devil who sits on your shoulder and says, "Do it! Do it! Do it!" :)
I'm a believer in things happening for a reason. If you are meant to have another, you will decide that and it will happen. If not, you can scrunch a little closer at the table :)
Or just invite us over for dinner, we'll fill it up in no time!!
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