There is a scene in my novel, THE MARRIAGE BOX, depicting a Syrian Jewish family at a Shabbat meal. A sentence reads,
“My father sliced the roast into thick pieces.”
When my book was getting its last edits, my agent commented, “A few lines earlier, we learn there is chicken on the table. Would there be both chicken and roast?”
When I read the comment, I laughed because the answer is, YES!
Shabbat is a really big deal at my house, as it is for most Syrian Jewish families. It’s partly about spirituality, partly about family but mostly about food.
And so every week, I start preparing on Wednesday. I create a menu, keeping in mind the foods each of my children and my husband enjoy and I make lists.
By Thursday all groceries, meats and vegetables are stocked in the refrigerator, ready to be prepared. Six pounds of string beans are cut and cleaned, five pounds of potatoes are peeled and cubed and four trays of sliced eggplants are grilled in the oven.
Friday, a good part of the day is spent cooking.
Every week, I make a dish called Chicken and Spaghetti. It’s a staple in our house, a favorite, and my kids can sure put it away. There was a time, when they were young, that I made four boxes of spaghetti. Today, I use three boxes even though there may be up to eleven (and I’m not exaggerating) other items on the table.
Over the last few months, I started adjusting how we eat.
I cut back on oil.
I bake instead of fry.
I use sweet potatoes instead of white ones.
My chicken and spaghetti recipe has evolved as well. I went from using canola oil in the 80’s to olive oil in the 90’s, and most recently, tried brown rice pasta, which did not go over well. Two weeks ago, for the first time, I didn’t make it at all.
All of this to say, a big part of my week centers around Shabbat.
And good food keeps my kids around the table.
This week on Wednesday, I sent my kids a group text:
Who’s coming for dinner Friday night?
One by one, I got…
Not me.
Me either.
Hate to pour it on but not me either.
This was a first!! EVER!!
And then my son who loves chicken and spaghetti the most wrote, “What do you expect when you don’t make chicken and spaghetti?” The sentence was followed by seven wry emojis.
“Oh boy,” my other son wrote.
Trying to fit in and speak their language, I sent an angry emoji and a sad one.
The Chicken and Spaghetti Lover’s wife wrote: He’s joking!!
I hesitated before sending the following text, which I meant to be funny—no guilt intended.
“Is there an emoji of an old mother and father sitting at a long Shabbat dining room table alone, crying? I’m looking for it.”
My Chicken and Spaghetti Lover Son: Hahahahaha. I was joking!!!
After the teasing stopped, reality set in. Your kids really do grow up and leave.
I have to say, even though I’d been warned, I never really believed the day would come. (I’m dense that way— I never thought I’d get wrinkles either.)
All those years of cooking and cleaning and carpooling and helping with college essays and doing all the millions of things that mothers do—you’re exhausted and busy and you think it will never end.
But it does.
To be honest, there were plenty of times I wished I didn’t have to cook. Didn’t I want, no need, more time to write? (That’s when people love to throw in: Be careful what you wish for.)
Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I were fine that Shabbat. It was simply strange, something to get used to.
Happily, I cooked for my two best friends and their husbands. We had challah and a delicious dinner—no chicken and spaghetti— but there was roast AND chicken.
We drank red wine and, as usual, Shabbat was special.
Just in a different way.
Corie – come to me Friday night!
Thanks Kim!!
Reminds me of the expression "don’t feed em , don’t see em ! Is it just me but it seems friday comes around so quickly!
It’s not just you!!
Just recently stumbled on your blog, been enjoying the articles, nice and clean cut, easy to relate to reads.
Candice bailey
Thank you Candice. So happy you joined the conversation!
Wow can relate! My daughter just got married n lives in ny n my son is in Boston in college. My Friday nite dinner at times is just my husband n I. At first was hard but it’s nice to spend quality time with the hubby as well. N btw wen kids do come to me on the wkends,chicken n spaghetti happens to be their favorite n I make it the good ole fashion way! They say u don’t gain weight from the sabbath meal so Wat the hec.. U only live once!!
We’re still trying to figure out the best way to handle chicken and spaghetti. So I’m thinking to go back to making it the old traditional way but make 2 boxes, not 3!!
Love the 2 best friends part;)
It was a great night and a fabulous meal, as always.
Loved it too :))
Once again I’m smiling the whole time while reading your article!! Love it Corie! I also recently had a Shabbat dinner alone with my husband and it was strange keep up the great articles!!😘
Thank you Marilyn!
Loved this article, as my kids are moving out I can see those Friday nights when my husband and I will be alone, not in the far distant future…Thank you for reminding me to appreciate when the table is crowded and the kitchen full!
Vicki Hoffstein
That can sure help when feeling overwhelmed with so much to do!
You know I feel the same way.
Thanks for commenting, Dora
Your loyal children are like boomerangs; they will be back.
Great article; love how you appreciate this meal.
Boomerang generation!! You have it too!
From Monday I start thinking about Shabbat. My table top different every week. Sadly my menu doesn’t change much. My housekeeper also gets excited about the table setting ,kind of a competition .
Guests are always welcome, and if my table is not full with people I’m not as happy.
Shabbat , what a gift!!!
The highlight of my week.
Thanks for commenting Joy!! ( I know it wasn’t easy!)
Hi corie I just read this it’s so cute! I’m smiling and we too can relate. I wanted to share a verse in tehillim that says "your children should be like olive shoots surrounding your table". So I give you and Marc that blessing!! Hug and kiss!
Marcy Sued
So thoughtful! Thank you :))
Oohh when is the book coming out ? ☺️
Wish I could tell you Shirley. Hopefully soon!! And I will (for sure) announce that exciting news here!!