six for dinner last night

It's been forever it seems since we sat down to eat a meal together.

My husband has two evening classes this semester and doesn't get home til late
the kids are all away.
But last night even though it was late we had dinner together.
All but the one in Cleveland.
Our daughter is home...
because we leave for our little trip east this afternoon
part of her wanting to get away for her vacation.
Our eldest son has been with us this last month, since coming back from Europe
but he's out alot...

{And he plans on heading back to europe in just a couple weeks....}
And our youngest and his girlfriend joined us...
they always seem busy, working or at his place or her place...

It was nice having a meal  all the way around our table...again
instead of just the two of us at the short end...

veal piccata and linguini with spinach
lots of lemon and mushrooms and spinach....mmmmmmm

and our eldest even did the dishes before he went out later in the evening...

I find these moments so enjoyable, the height of my day...planning a simple meal, shopping, waiting for everyone to begin to gather in the kitchen, the setting of the table as we cook, last night's teasing about not having any wine...pulling the cooking sherry off the fridge door (for the piccatta) and our son warning and groaning...no mom you can't drink that?!? thinking I was going to use it as table wine?!?

pure joy for me...the essence of life...my family...purpose
but what am I going to do when I grow up?!?
My life will be done soon, what will I have to show?!?
Paintings like in Tessa's family...
Photographs to be cast away like Aunt Evelyn and my mom?!?
A book...lost amongst all the stacks at Barnes and Noble
'David' like Michaelangelo

Who was quoted in our daily readings today?!!?
not a saint or a prophet...the artist....
"I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him."

I do not know...if there will be more or what that more might be...

It brings the tears to my that place behind my eyes again

I do know that even though this is so much more than enough
there is even more.......

I put all my hope in Him........