Mariam, a young Coptic Egyptian woman living in Queens, remembers her family’s ترابيزة سفرة (dining table) as the center of her home in Egypt. Made of worn wood and surrounded by mismatched chairs, it was more than a piece of furniture—it was where her family’s life unfolded. It was where they ate together, shared stories, celebrated holidays, and gathered after church on Sundays.

When Mariam moved to New York, she realized how much that table represented. In a city where everyone moves quickly and schedules rarely align, she missed the feeling of everyone sitting together without rushing. She missed the conversations that continued long after the food was finished and the comfort of simply being surrounded by family.

Years later, Mariam says that whenever she sits around a dining table with her family in New York, she is reminded of the one she grew up with in Egypt. Whether it is during Christmas celebrations, family gatherings, or ordinary dinners, the table recreates a sense of belonging.

For Mariam, ترابيزة سفرة is not just where people eat—it is where memories are built. It carries the laughter, stories, and traditions of generations. In a new country, she believes that creating that same space allows her family to bring a piece of Egypt with them, showing that home can exist wherever people gather together.

– Ounay Tawadrous

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child