Lesson 5-family dinner

The dining room table was beautifully set; a gorgeous Christmas flower arrangement graced the center of the table with an elegant matching red and green tablecloth and napkin ensemble. I was glad to be home, it had been a while since my last visit, it was wonderful for my mom to plan a family dinner on my first night visiting. All my siblings had the night free, this was a rarity, I thought maybe the snowstorm would change some plans, but it had not, all were in attendance. It felt good to be together as a family. Everyone had smiles when they first sat down but soon frowns and furrowed brows were their expression. Mom did it again, before the main course had even rounded the table. She asked about my husband’s whereabouts and without waiting for an answer she began making accusations about where she thought he was or what he was possibly doing. I was speechless and stunned, I sat listening but not really hearing her. “Why did she not like him, why did she feel the need to talk poorly about him, why did she do this my first night home”. The trouble was my dad did not tell her to stop and neither did any of my siblings. I was crushed and needed fresh air, I went to the front door, grabbed my coat, slid on my boots and left, heading into the blowing snow and freezing air of a Minnesota winter.