Traditions

See what happens? You get busy and stay away for awhile, and they change everything! Whew! Seems like everytime I log in to Google to post here, they've changed things. Ok - I'll try to adapt! lol!

Traditions - aren't they wonderful? They're reliable, they're comforting, they're stable and responsible. They make us feel like we belong, like we're a part of something. This time of year makes me think so much about traditions. My little family (my kids and I) have had held traditions in high regard for alot of years (or at least I have and they have let me think they enjoy them, too!). For instance we ALWAYS get my Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving. We ALWAYS get a real, live Christmas tree. We ALWAYS celebrate our Christmas together the Saturday after Christmas day. We ALWAYS make homemade eggrolls and peach pies for our Christmas celebration. We ALWAYS get a new game as a family present for Christmas to play at our celebration. And on, and on, and on. These are things that make us look forward to getting together - the familiarity of it all makes us feel a sense of belonging. I'm sure your family has things that you ALWAYS do, too, which you consider traditions. However, as comforting and familiar as traditions can be, change is inevitable, and our traditions, although somewhat sacred to us, are not exempt from the blowing winds of change. It's how we react to that change that determines whether or not the feelings of comfort and belonging surrounding our traditions survive or go by the wayside. For example, this year, on the day after Thanksgiving, it was 32 degrees outside and the wind was blowing leaves past my window faster than I could count them. I have two new grandchildren born this calendar year, so the decision had to be made that it was not wise to take the little ones out and get my tree. Sure, I was disappointed - not only because it's always a fun time for us (not to mention a great photo opp!) but also because I am now faced with the practical dilemma of when and how to get a tree! But, no one griped, no one complained, no one threw a fit (I guess we're all too old and mature for that now, eh?). But we still came together, ate our Thanksgiving dinner, played games and laughed and visited. No tree, but good food and fun and laughter. After all, isn't that what our traditions encourage? Quality time spent together. Is this the end of my Christmas tree finding Friday after Thanksgiving adventure? Who knows. We'll see what next year brings. Sometimes traditions have an expiration date and the winds of change blow their candle out. Some are only set aside to be picked back up the next time, with the sidestep of a deviation taken in everyone's stride. Only time will tell. And, on the flipside of that coin, I'm sure we'll be coming up with new adventures that will soon become traditions for us, too. 

Take time this holiday season to think of the things you consider traditions and what they mean to you. If you can't think of any, start some. Trust me, when you look back later, traditions help to make fabulous memories.