A Member of Culture - Vin

         This prompt is a quote of a quote of Robin Fox's opinion on children and family. "A meal is about civilizing children. It's about teaching them to be a member of their culture." And after a bit of thought, I'd have to agree.
         I think the author is true in their opinion. As an observational person, I pick up on manners and qualities of others really quickly and I work from there. I can see and feel the way someone was raised when they talk about their family or about their interests.
         I first grew up with a family that liked pulling out the big ovular dining room table to sit down for dinner and sometime's breakfast on the weekends. It was most prominent in my life with my mom sitting beside me, my dad beside her, then my brother Cliff, his wife Monica, my brother Randy, and then my Grandma. I remember the manners my parents and siblings and Grandma taught me at that table. I first noticed my dad set his elbows on the table, my mom her wrists, and me in between with my forearms. I was always able to pick up on the conversation and follow along, putting in my opinion when I didn't have a mouth full of food and was prepared with a statement of my own.
         But still, I find that the things that happened at the table really brought my family together. Almost every night I'd request that my brothers, sister, and mom play cards or a board game. If it was cards or Clue or anything that gave us that partnership that brought us together, I'd be happy.
         Euchre was an all-time favorite of ours. You're paired up with the person across from in a four-player game. The point is to win tricks to obtain a winning score of ten. A round is compromised of one player picking a trump(clubs, spades, diamonds, and hearts) and everyone playing their highest associated card. I know it's pretty difficult to understand, but you had to trust the smarts of your teammate and their hands in association with your own. My mom and sister would play with one another against a team of me and Cliff. It's one of the card games I can't forget.
         Recently, history repeated itself. My family hasn't switched back to its conjoined-ness, where everyone is getting along in the same household at one time. It's complicated. But my mom and stepdad decided to teach me how to play poker with their savings in change. It brought us closer. Gave me some personal time with my family.
         I'd like to count the dining room table itself as my bonding and manner-building experience. It's given so much to me during and after meals that I wouldn't be who I am in my family without it.