For some of us, holiday traditions are a legendary part of family get-togethers. Since I’m the youngest cousin on my dad’s side of the family, I’ve accepted at this point in my life that I’ll be forever stuck at the kids’ table.
In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration, please enjoy this original poem I wrote dedicated to the upsides of sitting at the kids’ table… even though I’m legally no longer one!
One thing’s for sure:
The adults sit at one table
And the kids are to endure
Trekking to the spread the next room over,
Designated for the delinquents
And adorned with its very own meal—
A delectable banquet.
This is the kids’ table.
They may think their table’s better
With their grown-up talk and all,
But little do they know that we have our own talk
Now that the “kids” are all legal.
Gone went the time waiting for
The uncle to cut the turkey
Or for Grammy to pass the gravy,
The color a bit murky—
C’mon, move it lady!
At the kids’ table, we’re much more agile
And have fewer plates to pass around.
Less fussing, more eating
And no care in the world of any gained pounds.
Another reason why it’s not all that bad:
We can say everything the adults don’t want to hear.
Letting out gossip about parties and tickets
Makes the past awkward moments disappear.
Non-scripted convo’s and slouched backs,
Spilled water glasses and plates packed with food,
We’re none other than the young-hearted and full-bellied—
And drafted dishwashing assistants as part of our servitude.
This is the kids’ table
And it’s where my heart
Will forever be.
The kids’ table:
Where I can just be
Me.
As you just read, the kids’ table has its own set of benefits, so don’t be shy—dig in!