Family Traditions
As our children get older and take their own paths in life, the meaning of “family time” begins to change. When the kids are young and at home, family time is just something that occurs naturally. When they are teenagers it is something that they have to endure. Time together is often taken for granted and not appreciated when it is happening.
Now that our kids are all grown, family time is certainly less frequent, but more precious indeed. As you read this, we are on our last day of our annual family beach trip. We have come to the Outer Banks for 5 consecutive years and this year we have 12 of us sharing a beach house. It is loud, messy, and fun. It is a week that we all look forward to and the tradition has become important to all of us. I hope we can keep the tradition happening for many, many years.
It has made me think about the value of traditions. I think they give us common ground, thus giving us comfort that unites. It is something we all know and anticipate. They keep us marching together. They help make moments seem right.
We eat at the house every night, other than one when we all go out to dinner. We do a “Low Country Boil” one night, pizza one night, Garret grills burgers and dogs, appetizer night, and Taco Tuesday. We all sit together around the table together and enjoy. Something that doesn’t happen very often anymore.
Some new traditions have emerged too. Yoga on the beach. Early morning trips to the gym by the “younger” group. And of course, a golf match. Maybe some day Garret and Blake may even win this match?? Nah.
The kids even started a siblings and significant others lunch tradition this year.
I don’t think anyone enjoys these trips more than our 2 grandsons. They get tons of attention from everyone and get to do nothing but play all day, everyday. They keep everyone laughing and entertained.
This week has become even more important with Chelsey & Kendall in Arkansas now, and Emmy & Blake soon moving to Florida. Lea will be graduating from college next spring and who knows where she may be headed in the future? Beach week is certainly the longest stretch of time we all spend together every year. It may be the main opportunity for all of our current and future grandchildren to know each other? We are going to do our best to keep this tradition going and hopefully it will be carried on after I am gone.