LJR was commenting a while back about our family not having a lot of traditions. That made me sad because I want us to have traditions and I know it's not too late to add some but I also think the best opportunity for developing them has already passed. Then came Easter and I realized there are a lot of things we do together as a family year after year that have become tradition but I've never thought about it that way because it's a lot of little things. There is comfort in knowing expectations and being able to count on things going a certain way. That's what makes traditions so enjoyable. People are generally not disappointed because they know what to expect. When you repeat things year after year you reflect on past times without even making an effort to. There is a lot of laughter and it cements good memories into your mind. So even at the age of 18 and getting ready to leave home HMR was perfectly happy to sit and decorate eggs. Baskets are still put out while the kids are asleep (although this has become in the morning since I can't stay up late enough to do it at night any more!) We have learned over the years that it is best not to leave the swimsuit purchase entirely up to the Easter Bunny but even if they pick out their swimsuit (tradition) they do not receive it until Easter morning. The kids still hunt for eggs and David and I still hide them together -- his being much too easy to find :). The boundaries of where they are hidden may change from year to year but that's about it. We eat dinner as a family and now Hayden says grace before the meal. I am so thankful for tradition and realize our family is rich with it. It doesn't stand out but sneaks in. I look forward to this weekend and Mother's Day when I "always" jump in the pool for the first time of the season; when the kids write in my "book" they gave me a few years ago. Then the last day of school with swimming and ice cream sundaes (and this year graduation parties!) In the summer when we will take our annual trip to Seattle and Lopez.... many traditions. I am no longer sad...
LJR was commenting a while back about our family not having a lot of traditions. That made me sad because I want us to have traditions and I know it's not too late to add some but I also think the best opportunity for developing them has already passed. Then came Easter and I realized there are a lot of things we do together as a family year after year that have become tradition but I've never thought about it that way because it's a lot of little things. There is comfort in knowing expectations and being able to count on things going a certain way. That's what makes traditions so enjoyable. People are generally not disappointed because they know what to expect. When you repeat things year after year you reflect on past times without even making an effort to. There is a lot of laughter and it cements good memories into your mind. So even at the age of 18 and getting ready to leave home HMR was perfectly happy to sit and decorate eggs. Baskets are still put out while the kids are asleep (although this has become in the morning since I can't stay up late enough to do it at night any more!) We have learned over the years that it is best not to leave the swimsuit purchase entirely up to the Easter Bunny but even if they pick out their swimsuit (tradition) they do not receive it until Easter morning. The kids still hunt for eggs and David and I still hide them together -- his being much too easy to find :). The boundaries of where they are hidden may change from year to year but that's about it. We eat dinner as a family and now Hayden says grace before the meal. I am so thankful for tradition and realize our family is rich with it. It doesn't stand out but sneaks in. I look forward to this weekend and Mother's Day when I "always" jump in the pool for the first time of the season; when the kids write in my "book" they gave me a few years ago. Then the last day of school with swimming and ice cream sundaes (and this year graduation parties!) In the summer when we will take our annual trip to Seattle and Lopez.... many traditions. I am no longer sad...
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