Then: The Kids'Table

Now: The Tax Table

We all know about The Kids' Table.  It's where the younger generation sits at family gatherings.   I don't know exactly where this tradition started, but I don't know anyone who hasn't sat at this table at least once in their lives.

In my family, there was a large gap between generations.  And so, I found myself at The Kids’ Table well into my twenties.  Eventually my cousin had children and sometime in my mid-twenties I graduated to that all important location - The Grown Ups’ Table.

Why I was in such a hurry, I'll never know.  Because honestly, The Kids' Table was way more fun.  We talked about dating, music, clubbing, clothes, dancing, family gossip.  You know, all the important stuff.  Things in the moment.  Not about how life how would be in twenty years.  There was never any mention of bills or health issues or, and I'll say it quietly - Taxes.

Which brings me to ponder this question.  Why is it that Passover and Easter fall around Tax Time?  Inevitably, at some point during these dinner celebrations the conversation falls to that topic.  Did you file yet?  Ohmygod, is it that time again?  I'm filing an extension.  I just hope I don't get audited.  Pass the matzo, please.   Did you claim enough deductions?  

So, I've been trying to decide when would be the best time to file our annual income tax returns.  Definitely not in December.  Because that "tis the season to be jolly."  And there isn't much jolliness in filling our taxes.  Standing in line waiting to pay for that perfect gift doesn't quite mesh with thinking about line-item deductions.    

And January is most certainly off-limits.  In January we're paying off the credit card debts incurred over the holidays.  

February isn't any better.  During this month we celebrate our nations finest presidents.  Thinking about taxes would diminishes the importance of those first important men who led our country to greatness.

In March, we celebrate the beginning of Spring.  New life.  New beginnings.  We move our clocks forward, plant our feet facing the future.  Definitely not a time to look back over the past year and calculate taxes.  

We've already concluded that April is not a good time to pay taxes.  April is the time for the Easter Bunny and the hiding of the matzo.  

In May we have Memorial Day and begin looking forward to summer.  We make payments toward summer camps and cottages.   Who has time then to think about taxes or even the money to pay them?  

June brings graduations, from preschool through college.  No one wants to worry about taxes when planning the next step in their careers.  

In July, we celebrate our country's independence.  When we broke away from our Mother country and all her tax obligations.

August and September are "back to school" months.  Moms and dads flock to the stores in search of backpacks, lunch boxes, school clothes and classroom supplies, hoping that some of these expenses are tax deductible.    

Then October comes blowing in with the witches and goblins of Halloween.  Who wants to evoke the ghosts of "taxes past?"  The present taxes are scary enough.  

Around the corner marches November bringing with her the Thanksgiving feast.  We have plenty to be thankful for and paying taxes is not one of those things.  

And so -  here we are.  We've come full circle and we're back at December.  I guess there never is the perfect time to look at that Tax Table.

Just as there isn't the perfect time to move up to The Grown Ups’ Table.  In fact, at our next family dinner, I'd just as soon sit at The Kids' Table again.  Talking about all that important stuff, none of which involves paying taxes.  

Please pass me the brisket along with some juicy family gossip.  That kind of talk is much more enjoyable to swallow.