Genealogy and History Fan

Webster’s dictionary defines a tradition as an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or social custom). It can also be the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another.

Each of us belongs to a family and our family traditions help determine who we are. These traditions create positive feelings and keep family members close as they spend time together. Our family traditions often provide us our best memories of our families. It has been said that if you see a strong family, you will likely find they have strong family traditions.

Some traditions can be as simple as always having pizza on Friday nights. Other traditions may occur at certain times of the year. For example, every August we always went to the County Fair as a family. During the Christmas season we always took several evenings to drive around our area to see the lights and decorations. On Christmas Eve we always read the Christmas Story from the Book of Luke.

These times together help family members to feel more secure, and more unified and loyal to each other. In today’s fast paced and ever-changing world, it is even more important to firmly establish and maintain family traditions.

Some families find that at least once a year they have to leave their hectic lives behind and take their family to a special setting. This special setting could be any place that the whole family enjoys going. For some families it might be a cabin on a lake, an ocean side retreat, or a mountain trek. Other families may have a favorite theme park that they look forward to visiting each year. The list of great places to visit could be endless.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every family could have a special getaway! I hope your family has treasured and established traditions that will always keep you connected. May 2008 be a banner year for keeping and even making great new family traditions.