In many homes, especially here in Nigeria, eating together used to mean a lot. It was not just about food, it was about family. I remember when everyone is still together my uncle, Aunt, siblings we always eat on the same table without complain, I always feel the joy and togetherness, it doesn't matter whether it was breakfast, lunch, or mostly dinner, everybody looked forward to sitting down and eating as one.
I still remember how we used to do it in my house. My mum would serve the food, and before you even hear, “Food is ready,” we were already seated, waiting. We would all sit together my parents, my siblings, and sometimes even visitors. It didn’t matter what was on the table, the joy of eating together made everything sweet.
Eating together can never er be boring when you are with your family, there is this joy that comes with sharing the same table and eating from the same plate, no one care about table manner whenever you are eating with your family, you will always have something to talk about, that period was when my mum would complain that we didn’t wash plates well, my brother would crack a dry joke that still made us laugh. It was noisy, but it was beautiful. That was the time everybody talked freely. If anyone had a problem, it would come out at the table, and somehow, someone always had a solution or advice.
These days, it’s different. Most people are looking for their daily bread, some of us are no longer with our family, some are married and Everyone is busy or tired. Some might even be pressing phone while another person is watching TV, and some don’t even come out of their rooms to eat. Food is now served individually, not as a group like it used to be. You just carry your plate and go. No more gist, no more loud laughter, no more checking up on each other.
Sometimes I ask myself, “When did we stop eating together?” I know life has changed. Work and school schedules are tough. People return home late. Some even eat outside. But deep down, I feel we can still try. We don’t have to wait for a party or Christmas before we come together again.
There was one Sunday my mum came for visiting and she decided to cook because we were in our big sister's house, my mum cooked ofada rice and stew. She called all of us to come and eat together. At first, we dragged feet, but we all came out. That moment reminded me of old times. We talked, we laughed, we even argued small, but it felt so good. That simple meal brought joy that day.
Since then, I’ve been thinking why can’t we do this more often? It doesn’t have to be every day. Even once or twice a week is something. Families need to start bringing back that togetherness. No phones on the table. No TV. Just food, faces, and real conversation.
The truth is, eating together helps build love and unity in the family. It makes the home warm. Even when there is no plenty food, that small portion shared with laughter is more satisfying than eating alone with silence.
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w177e01 which the topic is tagged A FAMILY THAT EATS TOGETHER
