Daily writing prompt

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

View all responses

The only ones that come to mind from my own upbringing are putting up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving night and everyone getting Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve. I’ll be honest, I never really thought traditions were that important, that is, until I began seeing how my daughter’s mother-in-law operates.

At first, I thought it was excessive to have so many traditions, this from someone who thinks matching Christmas pajamas are perfectly reasonable. She has been calling our grandkids every year on the first day of school to sing them a traditional song, School Days, one her mom sang to her growing up. Also, if it were not for her having Blayk read The Night Before Christmas every year on Christmas Eve, it probably would not have happened. In fact, since he will be 18 this year, he has handed the torch to his sister.

Even though the grand wee ones are not religious or tied to a faith, every year they participate in Lent with her. How cool is that? Very.

Also, we, she and I, have also made new traditions. I go over on Christmas Eve and stay the night at my son-in-law and daughter’s home. After the kids open their presents on Christmas morning, we all climb into our vehicles and head over to Gama’s and G Daddy’s home to open more gifts. But before the opening begins, there is a Who Made the Best Omelet contest, because apparently Christmas morning is not complete without a little friendly competition. Of course, Gama has already prepared the winning prize, complete with a trophy every year. It is quite fun.

I remember feeling a way at times because she does so much with them. Boy, was I silly, but now I know. She has taught me not only the value of traditions, but also how they naturally bring our family together, creating moments that feel like “our thing” rather than anyone’s alone. She has shown me how to show up a bit more for my loves in this way, and I am so grateful. I believe she has helped instill traditions in our grand wee ones’ lives so deeply that they will continue them for many years to come.