I had a rare half hour to spare before I needed to pick my daughter up from music lessons so I found myself meandering the aisles of TJ Maxx. After the purses and the shoes, my favorite section is housewares. I love to cook and serve food, so I am naturally drawn to bowls and cups and pitchers. There is always a pretty piece of pottery or imported dish that catches my eye. Today, I noticed a large, deep platter, glazed in a honey-bronze and handmade in Italy. Although it was brand new, it had the look of something that had been passed down from mother to daughter and had stories to tell.

I stood there holding the bowl in my hands imagining hot ziti with sun-dried tomatoes and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese hiking along the steep mound. I heard folks laughing and glasses clanging and smelled crusty bread as it was generously dipped into savory virgin olive oil. That platter held enough to serve a crowd--more than could sit comfortably around my table, and so my guests moved easily around the entire main floor, dining on couches and ottomans, hearths and stairways....Michael Buble' swooned from the stereo and candles flickered and left shadows on the wall. Children scooted between grown-up legs and chased the dog with treats and squeals. I passed out hot fruit pie and melting ice cream to oohs and ahhs and messy thank-yous....

Putting the platter back down on the crowded shelf, I turned and walked out of the store, leaving my empty cart parked askew. For now, while my son still experiences severe anxiety--especially around crowds, my little family will dine alone. We'll eat from bowls that hold far less in quantity, but just as much of my love and care. The music will remain off as my little man hears too well for his own good. Our music will be the peace and calm of a quieted heartbeat inside his growing chest. We'll toast to family, to devotion and to the hope that spills from the side of the largest platter....