A Spring Table and a Long Friendship Brought by a Photograph

A Spring Table and a Long Friendship Brought by a Photograph

The other day, while looking back through the photos on my smartphone,
a picture of a dinner table from around this time last year appeared.

It was a snapshot from the day I invited a friend from elementary school over for a meal.

A connection that has lasted for decades.
On that day, my friend even brought a birthday gift for me.
We went to the same schools until high school, and although we went our separate ways in college, we still meet once or twice a year.
Since college, we have walked our own paths, but she is one of those precious friends I have gathered with over time, along with friends from elementary, middle, and high school.

Over the long years,
we have each experienced various events and lived our own lives.

Even so, to have a friend who says,
“Let’s meet up,” and actually comes to see me.
I feel more deeply with every passing year
just how grateful I am for that.

Just that day,
my son and my eldest granddaughter were staying over,
and unexpectedly, we all ended up sharing the table together.

Being able to show my granddaughter’s face
to my friend from elementary school
was also such a wonderful moment.

The menu for that day was
・Roasted vegetables and meat (Gyugyu-yaki)
・Kumquat salad
・Quiche

Looking back like this,
it seems that when this season comes around,
I really do end up making the same kinds of things.

As the seasons cycle,
the menu in the kitchen naturally cycles as well.

And surely,
connections with people might be the same,
continuing for a long time
as they cycle just like the seasons.

A single photograph
gently brought back
such a warm moment.
I look forward to many more years together.

#TodaysMeal
#SpringTable
#EnjoyingLife
#DailyLife
#Family
#Memories
#Cooking
#Hospitality
#Friends
#Essay