“Tradition is a Lantern. The foolish hold on to it, the clever allow it to lead the way.”
(George Bernard Shaw)
I don’t remember every Christmas present. I don’t remember every Christmas dinner.
I do remember my childhood traditions.
My mom was big on traditions. I never realized how much work and effort went into the details.(Thank you, mom)
She would take me to the Nutcracker every year. Sometimes it was to see friends. Sometimes it was because I was in the performance. And sometimes it was in Fort Worth Bass Hall.
Our family would drive down to Corpus Christi, Texas for Christmas.
We would eat at Whataburger on Ocean Drive on Christmas Eve, after the candlelight service. A chocolate shake was always a must.
On Christmas Day, we would eat a huge dinner, at my mother’s mother’s home, with all of my family – both sides of my family included.
We would stop in Rockport on the way home and buy fresh shrimp. We knew that night we’d eat the most delicious grilled shish kabobs.
I’m hoping that I’m giving my littles memories. I want them to have memories of things that became tradition because we loved doing them together, over and over again. I’m hoping they remember how Christmas feels and how family looks at each other in candlelight.
If I had to guess – it would be getting hot chocolate and driving around to look at Christmas lights. It would be taking little trips together with a picnic basket and no particular agenda. It would be singing in the car, loudly.
They may not remember the presents or of the dinners, but I hope they remember how they felt when we took time as a family together.
I’m hoping these traditions become part of the journey, leading us on to the next season. Helping hold my hand through the inevitable changing. I’m not good with change, but these traditions give me a burst of thankfulness that pushes me to the next event – known or unknown – that I don’t feel ready for.
I cannot tell you how full my heart was as we shared three generations at The Nutcracker or sharing worship services on Christmas Eve. Stuffing stockings and making candy together. Folding past, present, and future together.