Families love traditions and most families
have lots of things that would be considered: Tradition! though they may not
have realized how many things they do because "that's the way we've always
done it."
Those are the things that make up: Tradition!
If your family doesn't really have any real "family traditions," then why
not begin some traditions *this year.* You may even want to
begin by starting a
journal where you record some past memories and some thoughts on what
you'd like to see in your home and in the lives of your children/family.
Perhaps this year, choose something you'd
like to do as a family as an annual event or tradition. Remember, your
children will hold these things in their hearts and these are the days that
they'll look back on when they begin their family traditions. These
are the things they'll look back on. Will they look back on your home
and family life with a warm tender heart of joy-filled memories?
Or, will they look back on frustration, regret, frenzy and dread? Will
you give them today something they can carry into all their tomorrows?
Will you begin building the foundation they can build on? Remember
they'll not likely remember all that you did in your home... but they will
remember how it felt there.
This is a simple way to begin doing the things you always wanted to do:
choose an activity or a reading or an outing that you will do each year at
Thanksgiving time. Choose a special dinner menu item or a dessert item
that you'll make each year. Sometimes, the most outlandish thing
will become the memory maker---the memory keeper for your family.
Everyone's got things they especially like around "Holiday Time" and if you
go around and ask your family members, you'll be surprised at just how many
things are really "keepers" to them. Especially, ASK YOUR HUSBAND:
what makes Thanksgiving special to you? You'll be wise to take note
and duplicate and implement his ideas and ideals. He's got all sorts
of memories locked in his heart. Why not seek to bless him with more sweet
memories or why not fill his heart with sweet memories from now on if his
earlier experiences weren't the best!