Gatherin’

There’s somethin’ sad about a table with one more empty chair
The seat that held humanity holds nothing now but air.

The life it held is not extinguished, only some place else but here.
So mom and dad put on fake smiles that hide the grieving tear.

Sadder still, the families who are never there…
Don’t know what they’re missing and don’t really seem to care.

It breaks my heart to pieces…knowing they’re not here
The absences from years gone by has made it crystal clear.

It seems to me that they’re lives are so much better
Without coming home to say hello, or even write a letter.

Yes, It hurts to see a table with vacant chairs around it
But let’s focus on the loveliness…of a table that doesn’t.

There’s somethin’ happy ‘bout a table, when every chair is filled
With messy kids a’bustlin’…someone’s drink is gettin’ spilled

Faces pressed in close together, the chatter gettin’ deep
It’s soundin’ mighty good (while the couch potatoes sleep).

We get loud around the table; as loud as we can be
Letting out our joy of mingling, and shootin’ at the breeze.

Through the window peeks a sunray most awesome ’n sublime
As it falls across the tables that’r set for dinnertime.

Through the door bursts a child, eager and young of age.
He’s loving life and learning the wisdom of a Sage.

Dust dances through the air across the light beams shining in
As Mom places country cookin’ on fine china made of tin.

Take your places at the table, bow your heads for sayin’ grace.
Dad says the prayer for dinner, glory shining on his face.

They just came in from playin’, those youngin’s can’t sit still
Now they’re up and runnin’, hardly eatin’ one whole meal.

Now we’re washing all the dishes, as kids go out to play,
And clearin’ off the table, somebody gets the games.

Dutch Blitz, cornhole, or whatever suits your fancy
You won’t win a game tonight without it gettin’ chancy.

Have you ever pondered…as its comin’ to a close
A better day with family, you could not have chose.

We lay out on the hay-bales, underneath the diamond stars
Lookin’ up into the heavens, wishin’ all of them were ours.

In the beauty that surrounds me, I bow my head n’ close my eyes
Thankin’ God for those around me, requesting grace to realize.

That I’m blessed beyond the measure of the ocean or the skies
To have lived this life I’ve lived, with such awesome family ties.