Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Traditions

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I like traditions. There are some traditions that have been in our family for generations and others that are fairly new. We have customs that come from Sam's family and some that have started because of our children. We don't have a lot of them, but I think it’s almost better that way - it just makes the ones we do have even more special.

My mom got a new computer yesterday - a life changing laptop. She needed a bit of help getting the wireless going, so the kids and I headed over to lend a hand (she really knows more than she admits - it was just the push of one button.) After dinner we went for a swing on her porch swing, we looked at her roses and then the children began their customary flower gathering.

With my mom's move to Michigan a new tradition was born - flowers for the kids. My children will not leave "Greenie's" house without flowers. If she forgets, they remind her. It is such a part of the trip to Greenie's house that in the winter my mom actually buys flowers so the kids have something to take home. Yes, it's a bit over the top, but they love it! The whole car ride home they clutch their flowers and, if they survive (the flowers, not the kids), they get put in water and sit in the window where the kids can enjoy them. The photo above is of yesterday's survivors.

It can be something small like a flower to take home from Grandma's house, or a long standing tradition like hanging the Christmas stockings that were designed by a great aunt, or maybe it's an annual trip somewhere, but traditions make memories. What better to give a child than a good memory?

12 comments:

Emily said...

I love traditions too. They're just so important and I love thinking up new 'special' traditions for my own little family.

BTW, my daughters name is Delaney but we call her Laney for short. Hence, the 'little Laney Lou'. :)

MKHKKH said...

I wish my family had more traditions. We hope to make some memorable ones for the girls. Very sweet tradition Grandma has started. I bet when the kids smell a rose they will fondly think of her!

katiedid said...

You are so right! My family had many traditions when I was growing up. I married an Air Force brat who moved so much, traditions didn't really get a foothold. So he has great appreciation for the traditions we have started as a family. They really mean alot!

Elle Jay Bee said...

What a beautiful post, Heather, and what a lovely tradition your mum has started with your children. You must be so happy to have her nearby and you will have many more opportunities to make wonderful memories.
I love traditions and don't like them to be broken. They are definitely worth preserving...

Linda

Thimbleanna said...

Oh yes, traditions are the best! And just wait until your children get a little older. One day you'll make a change in something that you didn't realize was a tradition and they'll have a fit! Children love and remember their traditions for a lifetime -- you're so right -- what a wonderful gift!

Leeann said...

You are so right, and even more so the traditions that just sneak up on you and start because they are meaningful to your kids. I love that your mom buys them for the kids in the winter...how precious is that?
Leeann

cammy said...

I love this post Heather. I think traditions are so important for our kids. We have many here in our house. Your mom has started such a sweet tradion, and I love that she buys flowers in the winter.

Julie said...

That is a wonderful tradition that I will bet will give your children an appreciation for gardening as well!

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

I LOVE TRADITIONS!!!!

Sue said...

What a sweet tradition. Mind if I copy it?

Cindy said...

What a great post. I think part of being a happy adult is growing up with traditions like that. I really think it is much more important than most people think. It puts a happiness inside of you that stays there throughout your life. Your children are lucky that they have a mom that understands that.

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

That tradition is so sweet!

When my son was deployed to the middle east one year over Christmas, he told me that all the stuff we did as a family over the holidays - the things he had mocked as a teenager - were the things he was missing the most that year. Families create traditions and sometimes we don't even realize it! My son had made fun of my annual reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas when he was a know-it-all teenager, but he sure missed it when he was away from family that year.

I hope your kids carry on the flower tradition with THEIR kids one day - how touching would that be?