Traditions
by Mary Ann Halloran
If anyone has seen the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof," you will know it is about family, the Jewish people, and "Tradition." It's definitely a favorite movie of mine.
The Catholic Church is full of traditions—Mass, incense, Easter vigil, feet washing, Benediction, Feast Days, Stations of the Cross, Holy Hours, etc. etc. These are wonderful church traditions that get passed on through the ages.
Families also have traditions. We often cherish traditions that we loved when we were growing up with our family. When we marry, we share each other’s traditions and see which ones to carry on, which is great. Or sometimes your new little family can start its own traditions. Traditions have to begin somewhere, and you could be the one to set it in motion.
When I had young children, I decided to start the tradition of having rootbeer floats on New Year's Eve. Why rootbeer floats? I don't know, but it was a treat that we didn't have any other time of the year. It stuck. We did it every year. One of my older children has carried on the tradition. Others have begun their own New Year's Eve tradition which is great. The idea is to have traditions! They don't need to be expensive or elaborate. No matter how simple, children love them and they will remember them.
On Christmas morning, I began the tradition in our family of having a birthday cake for Jesus placed on the kitchen table with a special tablecloth from Ireland that I have. I put the plastic manger scene figures on top of the cake. We would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, and then eat the cake together.
On my children's birthdays, we have a special breakfast for them on a festively set table. They get to choose the menu. Lots of fun. I could go on and on.
So, parents, the idea here is not to underestimate the importance of traditions with your children. Each year when certain occasions roll around, your children will be asking, "Are we going to...." and they will inquire about whatever that particular tradition is in your family. Children really do delight in traditions.
It's kind of sweet when my grown children are home at a specific time of year and request the tradition of that time that they grew up with. I love it!
Treasure your traditions together and have fun with them. They may live on for a long time!
God bless you,
Mary Ann/Mother Hen
I have begun a new tradition with Stella. Before I put her in her crate for the night, I sit on the floor with her, and we share a cracker while we talk about our day … I mostly talk, and Stella mostly chews her cracker.