Nothing Stays the Same

Traditions are important and give us a sense of belonging.  They tie families and friends together providing a venue for recalling old memories and creating new ones.  Holiday memories are deep and are added upon year by year.  The holidays of childhood are easily recalled and perhaps a little embellished as they are shared and carried with us through the years.  But memories broaden as years pass and new people enter our lives.

As a newly married couple we shared three Thanksgivings with our parents and then found ourselves on the east coast far from family.  New friends took the place of family and Thanksgiving was celebrated in their home.  They too were far from family and gladly invited us to create a new kind of family.  It was the beginning of understanding that we can go beyond what we know and still find a spot in which we fit.

The following Thanksgiving we again found ourselves in a new place still far from family.  It was our first little family Thanksgiving with two little boys.  The day was still full of traditions and familiar food, but now we were introducing our family to our Thanksgiving.  It was not empty or lonely with just the four of us. It was tight and warm.  We eventually moved closer to our parents and siblings and our little group of four was now six.  We shared a few holidays which included grandparents, but now it was our home they came to.

Our children now have families of their own and extended families as well  We have adapted to the  changes and made Thanksgiving fit the various schedules and obligations.  Usually we celebrate a week early and have ham so no one has to eat turkey twice in one week. This year we dumped the whole dinner idea and went for the desserts.  There were no complaints and perhaps this will be a new tradition.  Our daughter was the host and organizer this year.  It is okay to make changes and move with the times.  Life is still rich and full.

Nolan and I spent the actual day in La Jolla, California with Neils and his new wife.  It was their first Thanksgiving and the start of their own traditions.  Who knows what next year will bring or where we will be or how much of our family will celebrate together. The bottom line---even apart we are still together.