Tradition. We are all bound to it in some fashion or another. At times it comforts us and we treasure it. At times it haunts us. Sometimes it sets standards that we feel we can never meet. And sometimes it stands in the way. And like everything else, even traditions change with the seasons.
My memories of Christmas traditions are vivid. The first ones are from my childhood. I can't really rewind and play a particular Christmas, but I have a montage of moments that together paint my perceptions of what Christmas should be... for children. As does my wife, and I think the Christmas memories we created for our own children were molded by our ideals of what they should be. Family of course. Christmas plays at Church, Christmas Eve gift exchanges, Christmas Dinner, and our signature family tradition. Santa always brought/brings new underwear and stashed them into our stockings. I think, I hope, the boys have their own cherished memories of those days. That one thing they wanted, the surprises, Grandma's dressing, sitting at the 'kid table'. Not to mention dressing up in bath robes and towels and pretending to be a wise man in the Wilson Freewill Baptist Church Christmas extravaganza. The Christmas 'sacks' handed out by the Elders containing candy, nuts and fruits. They are certainly some of my favorites.
But for those traditions to begin, old ones had to give away to new. Grandma's house as the gathering place for the entire family eventually moved to our home. Dressing preparation mastered by both grandmas were relinquished to Debbie. And so on, and so on.
The last couple of years has ushered in new traditions. Last year, we 'had Christmas' at our sons house. And it was great. Grandma was able to make it out from her new assisted living home. We had a new family member, the beginnings of a new crop of children. And his presence seemed to rejuvinate our spirits.
This year, it was quite a change for us. We scheduled our family Christmas after Christmas to accommodate the growing family and their obligations. Grandma had Christmas at her house as we couldn't get her out on the snow. But she was good with that. And we had a emergency that resulted in Deb's mom being taken to the hospital early Christmas morning. We spent Christmas with her as it should be. We gratefully ate Christmas dinner with the hospital employees in the cafeteria. Turkey, ham and the fixins. It certainly dampened our spirits and we are praying that tomorrow will provide answers to her ailments and a quick recovery.
What will next year bring? Who knows. But as I am starting to see the past with a better view on this side of 50, the future also starts coming into focus. Traditions will change, regardless of the holiday or the season. Places where memories are made will as well. Next year we will have a new member to welcome to the family. But what remains, what should never change, are the ties of love that bind family and friends. It is important that family and friends come together. It is important to exchange the gift of love and kindness and support. And we should be deliberate in doing so.
If there is one sacred tradition, let it be that.
