Page 48 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021- Online Magazine

Focus
FAMILY
Family Traditions

by Barbara Mandry

“Tradition! Tradition!” daily, weekly, or holiday the “rose tradition” is so positive for
The Broadway show traditions help identify the Hoover family is because this
tune is stuck in my and define a family. family has also chosen to abstain
head. “Because of Children love traditions, from television and electronics in
traditions, we’ve kept our because they thrive on the evenings. This family spends
balance for many, many consistency and routine. their time sharing an evening meal
years…” proclaims Mealtime blessings, together, playing games, crafting, and
Tevye in Jerry Brock’s nightly prayers, special taking simple nature walks. Theirs
musical Fiddler on greetings, or bedtime is truly a strong and well-bonded
the Roof. “Because stories are simple family family.
of traditions, everyone traditions that nurture
knows who he is and young children. Finally, family traditions can range
what God expects him from the very simple to the more
to do.” The current The Hoover family of elaborate. They don’t always require
global pandemic has brutally altered Dallas beautifully models a family a large financial investment. The
families and their beloved traditions. tradition each evening when they important ingredients for family
Plus the “counter culture” revolution share the highlights of their day. traditions to continue are creativity,
threatens to cancel cherished family Family members describe the events fun, inclusiveness, and grace! Not all
traditions. These events have of their day as a rose, a bud, or a family traditions last forever. Some
jeopardized foundational family thorn. The rose is the best, happiest are simply for a season, and should
identity. Today, we would find Tevye thing about their day. The bud always avoid legalism.
fiddling a very sad song on his roof is the most hopeful or promising
about the endangerment of beloved thing. And the thorn or dud is the Identify, embrace, and cultivate
traditions. part of their day they enjoyed the your family’s unique traditions. The
least. It’s a communication tradition bonds you build will strengthen your
Experts agree. Family traditions the parents and children anticipate family and bless those you love and
strengthen families…provide daily. The nice thing about this cherish.
security… identity…and a sense of simple tradition is that they can also
belonging. They reinforce family include grandparents and other “Without our traditions, our lives would
values, culture, and heritage. Family extended family in the sharing when be as shaky as…a fiddler on the roof.”
traditions create lasting memories, they are together. Another reason ~Tevye
and most importantly, they build
strong family bonds. In today’s
remote and plugged-in high-tech
culture, family traditions are under
attack. Admittedly, seniors are the
perfect conduits for communicating
these traditions. Grandparents
have the memories and the time to
reinforce those family traditions that
may get lost in an often fast-paced,
confusing, panicked, and hectic
world. It’s really quite adorable
watching the interaction between
children and grandparents when old
family traditions are explored.
In Lynne Brown’s December blog,
“Family Traditions Build Strong
Families” she states, “Traditions are
an important part of family culture.
The things we do together routinely,
over and over, become our family’s
traditions and define our family’s
unique family culture.” Big or small,
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48 Lubbock Senior Link