Traditions that Last Through Generations

I received a touching email from my daughter today. Kleenex was involved––that’s how touching it was.

A friend of hers had asked for examples of some Christmas traditions for a book she was compiling. The instructions said it could be a one-liner, a short story, or anything in between.

My daughter, Jen told me “I thought I was just going to be a ‘one-liner’ kind of gal, but once I got going, I couldn't stop. Like you!”

The attachment she sent with the email included her version of many of the Christmas traditions we had observed over the years. Some––like she and her brothr taking turns putting the angel on the tree each year––seemed quite mundane at the time we were doing them, but they obviously left great memories for my daughter, since she enjoyed sharing them. And she seemed to see the humor in the “cheesy smiles” they held as I tried to get the camera working.

Other traditions––such as the unique ornaments I gave my kids each year, depicting a recent event in their life––are still going on, and Jen now does the same for her own two young sons.

What affected me the most about the examples she shared, was that the little things we had done throughout the years, not only became traditions, but became great memories for our kids. Those simple acts did actually have meaning, even if we didn’t realize it at the time. It wasn’t just a ritual, it was a part of our family, of who we were, who they were, and even who they’ve become.

Every family has a tradition, ritual, or habit of some kind. Something they can always count on happening. I could always depend on my Mom having a pot of Chili on the stove when I went home for a visit. Maybe it wasn’t a tradition, but I knew my favorite meal would be waiting for me just the same. And it provided good memories.

Through your writing, share those events, traditions, regular happenings in your life that you could count on, and that bring back good memories. Who knows ... a tradition your mother or grandmother started, and that you’ve carried on, may continue on for several more generations!