The Importance of Traditions

Backpacking through the woods of North Georgia for a traditional non-sanctioned alumni event, I stumbled across rocks, encountered bats, had run-ins with deer, was feasted upon by mosquitoes and cemented the bonds of friendship.

When we think of traditions, usually we think of Christmas or Thanksgiving. However, traditions do not require holidays. They do not even require family. Merriam-Webster defines tradition as “an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior “. In many cases this definition is limiting. Thomas Carlyle wrote: “What an enormous magnifier is tradition! How a thing grows in the human memory and in the human imagination, when love, worship, and all that lies in the human heart, is there to encourage it”.

Traditions are more than just a behavior. Traditions in many cases are nostalgic. They are synced with memories of people, places and times. To me, traditions mean love. Whether it is the tradition of tailgating in preparation for a Georgia game or trekking to the beach every Spring Break -- carrying on traditions strengthens our relationships. It brings close a piece of our past, and kindles a spirit of hope for the future.

The sound of the Blue Angels flying overhead leaves me with smiles and thoughts of my grandfather who was a pilot. I remember going to see the airshow every year and visiting the Naval Air Museum to see his name upon the wall. Molasses chip candy reminds me of my grandmother who would bribe my brother and I to do . Halloween causes me to think of my mother's parents who made sure I had something healthy, an apple, along with my bags of candy every year. When my oil needs to be changed, I think of my yearly from my father. Every time I look in my , I think of my mother.

We are not remembered (to those whom are important) by the amount of money we make or the prestige we hold. We are remembered by the “little things”. We are remembered by our relationships. We are remembered by the way in which we treat others. We are remembered by the amount of time we are willing to spend with someone. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes anchored in traditions brings those memories to life.

Does your family wait anxiously in line on opening night for the latest superhero film? Do you have a standing “Black Friday” date with your girlfriends? Do you pick apples from the orchard or visit a corn maze every fall? Do you attend a worship service together? Is dinner and cleanup a family event? Your children and grandchildren will remember and feel close to you by your traditions. Time is worth so much more than money. Spend the time and establish your own family traditions so that your children don't just remember their ballet and karate teachers with fondness, they remember you.