Countdown to Christmas!

Well, though the day is here tomorrow, the season is upon us in full force.  Parties abound and the hustle and bustle has been going on for weeks.  It comes down to these two days.......

Hopefully you are excited with anticipation, not sorrowful with dread.  Both happen this time of year.

I have talked to a lot of people who tell me this time of year stirs up not so happy memories.

It's amazing how memories can hold onto us like an albatross.  But are you going to let it affect you every single year?  Is there a way to create new memories?

Same with Traditions.  What is a favorite tradition?  What if that Tradition changed? 

The definition of tradition:
The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.

Customs or beliefs from generation to generation........

How deep seeded are these traditions?  Do they change who we are?  Do they help us grow?  Do they ground us to our family?

It varies from family to family.  Our tradition every year was we would have dinner at our dining room table (which remained vacant most days of the year). 

My mom has told me many times she wants to get rid of that dining room table and I have a problem with that.  It's my past. 

And though it's not a gorgeous piece of furniture, what it represents is many decades of coming together as a family.  On that rare occasion we would all sit down together. And say Grace.  And eat.   Together.

And then it was over til next year.

Now our traditions have changed.  Our family doesn't always come together.  As a matter of fact, rarely do we come together.  We are spread everywhere from here to Norway to Sacramento.  And the table we meet at isn't always the same. 

For Thanksgiving, some of us came to the table.  Some stayed in another room.  So clearly the table doesn't work anymore.  Maybe it's time to let it go.  And let my mom let go of her past and get what she wants.

Will my children feel the same way about our table?  I love when we all come together.  Our table represents good times and family and good food. 

We are moving forward with our traditions, but in a new way. 

Unfortunately, though we may try to keep things the same way....the will inevitably change.

But not all change is bad.

Merry Christmas Eve