You Are What You Eat?

For as long as I can remember, it has been a tradition within my family to cook a large meal on Sundays. This meal almost always consists of soul food dishes and preparation usually begins the night before.

This tradition was always held in my grandmothers home. Around two in the afternoon on Sundays, my aunts, uncles, and cousins would begin arriving, bringing with them their own special dishes or deserts. For a few minutes, all of the kids would linger around the kitchen peeking into the covered dishes, especially the deserts to decide which ones they would choose after dinner and then go off together and play. While some of the women huddled in the kitchen cooking and others sat around the dining room table chatting or playing checkers, the men sat in the living room talking, playing cards or dominoes, and watching tv. Between 3 and 4 the table was set and food was put onto the dining room table buffet style and everyone lined up around the table to fill their plates with food. Usually the kids sat at the kitchen table together and ate, while the women sat at the dining room table and the men in the living room. After dinner everyone cleaned up and all of the adults would sit around and talk while the kids played together until about 8 o'clock when everyone finally had to head home.

After my grandmother passed, my parents purchased the home and this tradition continued. As I became older and sometimes complained because I wanted to do other things on Sundays with my friends instead of the family, I remember my dad explaining to me once that this was a tradition that began even before he was born. This Sunday tradition started when my ancestors were slaves and Sundays were the only day they did not have to work and could spend time together as families, so they cooked lots of food and ate and spent time together because this was the only day they were allowed.

Now my father has passed and I live in the house that once belonged to my grandmother with my own family, I still continue the Sunday tradition. Although some of my family members have grown old, passed away, or have their own families and new traditions, I still cook a big meal every Sunday for my own family and anyone else that may stop by, because everyone that knows me, knows that the door is always open and there is always room at my table. Cooking for others and sharing a meal with people you love and care about in my opinion brings people together and keeps them connected.