Tradition

Maybe it’s just this time of year. The holiday season, a new year, a time for reflection and looking ahead. For whatever reason, in late December I always think about tradition.

Last weekend we had my family for dinner. A yearly tradition.

On Jan. 2 we’ll have Sandra’s family for dinner. A yearly tradition.

Sandra is putting the finishing touches of what is always an extraordinary Xmas tree. Thousands of tiny lights and hundreds of fantastic ornaments. Actually, this year it’s two trees. She didn’t think the first one was big enough. A yearly tradition.

Between now and mid-January we’ll have special friends come by to ooh and ahhh at the trees and have Champagne. A yearly tradition.

Yesterday I had a great lunch with my friend Jerry. A yearly tradition.

The other day our friend Dave dropped by to deliver his delicious fruitcake. A yearly tradition.

On New Year’s Eve we’ll stay home alone and have a wonderful dinner along with special wine – and maybe make it to midnight. A yearly tradition.

Traditional events are not limited to the end of the year. We have them to celebrate our birthdays. We have a tradition to visit Yosemite in late May when the waterfalls are at their peak. Sandra’s family has a reunion every other year – an every other year tradition. Another every other year tradition is to visit my dear friends in Sicily, usually in September.

We are fortunate to be able to create and enjoy our many traditions. They are special to us because they are ours. They may not be the ones that you’d create or enjoy. No problem. Do what works for you. But I urge you to take advantage of the opportunity to join the tradition game. It is open to everyone. Why? Because tradition will enrich your life.