After an inspired discussion at our Central Coast Montessori School philosophy group in March, about food choices that families make for their children and the joy and sense of ritual and community that comes with sharing food at the family dinner table the idea was proposed for a seasonal dinner celebration.
We started with a small gathering of twenty, just for parents.
Every person contributed something to the evening, in more ways than one. People brought plates, cutlery was donated, music was playlisted, we brought chairs, tables, candles, glasses and ornaments. We all brought a plate of autumnal food to share. There was many beautiful contributions of food given and perhaps the most inspiring and magical to eat was the food harvested from our very own Community Garden, these dishes included baba ganoush, pesto and salads.
Some photographs of the Autumn Feast evening...
Dimitri wrote and brought along a poem;
Autumn’s Ode to Summer
Summer is... but spring carried away
Laughing and playing, enjoying each day
Everything growing, blossoming, thriving..
Then a heat so intense, life starts withering and dying
Autumn says stop, pulls the curtains right down
Blows a sweet breeze, cooling all that’s around
She whispers rest, rest my dear friends,
Then a gentle embrace, such a love she does tend
The trees settle in, finding silence and peace
In this calm they prepare for one last graceful show,
To pay homage to the father, that stunning, vibrant old beau
A propitious mist settles in, the scene is now set....
The children are dressed in his image so vivid and bold
Reds, oranges, browns and yellows, the story starts to unfold
Rich in their beauty, vibrant and warm
To mother earth now together...they are humbly drawn
Each in loving memory, the passing summer reflects,
Floating, drifting, meandering, in autumns arms, no regrets
Twisting, spinning, spiralling, falling
The Mother and Father together in life’s intimate calling
Her fertile crust she now cools, her children their bedtime they shall not miss
An ancient rhythm and cycle, inexplicable bliss
His blessed coat upon her he lays a collage of colour, a journey to trace
One she adorns with honour and grace
A delicate balance together they’re one
Autumn’s selfless ode to our Father, Mother, Daughter and Sun.
Eventually we will grow towards a seasonal evening dinner gathering to create a special occasion for children and families at the Central Coast Montessori School. We have already started preparing for the Winter Feast with much joy and enthusiasm and we welcome all of your suggestions. Please feel free to comment here so we can all enjoy your experiences of the evening and also read your suggestions for the up-coming Montessori community events.
Thank you to all for your very generous contributions of love, materials, time and thought especially those who contributed and could not come.
To be part of a family, to have been given life by one's parents, is highly prized; to be part of a community of people who share life together at many levels is also considered sacred.
