Do you have family traditions? If so, are they still important to you? Do you carry them on? Webster says this about tradition: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. Over the past few days, I have been thinking quite a great deal about traditions, and the importance of them. I read recently that traditions bring a sense of comfort, and they reinforce values. There are two different kinds of people when it comes to tradition. Those who do not continue them, who don’t see their relevance or importance, and those who do them come hell or high-water! To some, traditions are made to be broken. To some, absolutely nothing stops them. Which side do you find yourself on today?
I think in the world we find ourselves in, traditions need to not only be kept, but celebrated! We need things in 2020 to bring us a sense of comfort and belonging. For so many of us, this year has looked different, and unlike any other year in our existence. I’m mourning the fact that there is a good chance my mom won’t be able to return to Indiana for Christmas. If she does not, it will be the first time in my 46 years that I will spend Christmas without my mother. While I am so grateful she’s alive, and healthy, and I can see her in 2021, it still hurts. I know so many of you can relate to this today. Whether you live away from your family, or have lost them, not seeing them for the holidays hurts. These are the exact reasons we need to bring back those family traditions that maybe before this year, we had began to take for granted, or they have been forgotten.
When I spent the first Christmas with my husband, and his kids, in 2008, I began a tradition of everyone getting a new ornament for Christmas. I would carefully choose an ornament for them that related to something they were doing in their lives at the time. Some day, when the kids are older and move out, they will get their box of ornaments. I never thought it meant much to them, but still, I knew some day it would. I almost talked myself of doing the ornaments this year, they’re 17 and 22, and they won’t miss them I thought. Then one day recently, it hit me. Some day, this tradition will mean something to them, when they’re putting each ornament on their tree, they can tell their kids what each one meant. I had to shake myself and realize the importance of this tradition.
As I think back over my childhood, the traditions that stood out to me were not just at Christmas. Every Easter, my brother and I would wake up to our Easter basket sitting outside our bedroom doors. My mom would always make our Easter outfits, and my gift was always a matching purse for my dress. Each year, she would carefully hand pick a purse to match my new Easter dress and shoes. I still remember this excitement. For Christmas, we would always be at my grandparents, all 12 of my aunts and uncles and 17 cousins. Today, with spouses and great grandchildren, there are 86 of us, and we still enjoy getting together when possible. Those are the things that define my childhood. Things I hope I never forget! We always had the same meal, and papaw always would say children calm down, we’re going to pray. With each prayer, he would cry and tell us how thankful he was we were all together, and pray blessings over our family. I never ever want to forget the things that made it our family.
I can still remember Mamaw getting her nicest chinaware out, and her old glasses, the small salt and pepper shakers and making the table pretty. This is one of my very favorite things to do. Each year as my step-kids are here for Christmas, I get out the good stuff, and take pride in making the table pretty. Will they remember that? I don’t know, but it makes me proud, and makes me think of watching my Mamaw do this with pride and love in her heart.
Maybe your tradition is Christmas Eve service, or picking out the family tree and decorating it, or a certain cookie, or matching pajamas, or telling the Christmas story, or so many other things. Whatever the tradition was, don’t throw it away this year. If it’s been forgotten, bring it back. If you never had traditions, start them! We all need comfort in 2020. We all need a sense of belonging. Even though it may look different than in years past, be thankful you have the memory, and create new ones.
So let me shake you a bit today. Let me arouse those warm feelings deep in your soul for those maybe wacky and crazy traditions that made your family, your family! Let it bring a smile to your face, a warmth in your heart, and thoughts of days gone by. Today, I’m buying ornaments, and making Russian teacakes like my mom did, and counting my blessings that I have traditions to remember! I believe that some day we will look back, and find that those things we thought were small, were in fact very big things!
With love for you all,
Shauna
Shauna's Sisters 