A columnist reflects on his grandparents’ rules and values, and how they have influenced his own life.

Learning from the Past

The columnist grew up in a different time, when life moved at a slower pace and grandparents ruled their homes with authority. They had unwritten rules that governed every aspect of life, from the parlor to the kitchen.

The parlor, now known as the living room, was a sacred space reserved for company, weddings, funerals, or when the preacher stopped by. The family gathered in the kitchen or den, and only select few were allowed in the parlor. The columnist recalls the plastic-covered furniture, lace curtains, and treasured keepsakes that filled the room.

The same thinking applied throughout the house. Embroidered towels were for guests, while family members used the faded, threadbare towels hanging behind the door. The kitchen had its own set of rules, where you didn’t open the refrigerator just to decide what looked good, and whatever was served at supper was what you ate.

Mealtime came with expectations, such as no elbows on the table, no hats, and chewing with your mouth closed. Adults were addressed with respect, and interrupting grown-ups wasn’t acceptable. The columnist reflects on how these rules, although sometimes felt unnecessary, have become surprisingly wise with age.

Years later, the columnist has come to understand that the rules were never really about plastic-covered furniture or guest towels, but about respecting other people, appreciating what you had, avoiding waste, and taking pride in your home.

Original reporting: Wylie News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.