Traditions are rich and beautiful and everlasting. I always think we could embrace more of them as a family, I fear we aren't doing enough. Many holidays come and go with the best intentions set forth but alas, I blink and it is February and we have not made the gingerbread men, the hand dipped candles for gift giving or the handmade wreath for the front door. But when I stop and think about all that we do make the time for, the traditions that have become so without any planning or intention, I realize those are the moments we will remember and look forward to each year. It's the simplicity in our familiar holiday rhythm that we'll remember. Without organizing or scheduling, a wreath does appear on our front door each year, it is made by the hands of another - and we enjoy going down to the local garden shop and picking out just the right one. Cookies are always made, and far too many at that! Spontaneous recipes are tried and plates of goodies are delivered to neighbors. Christmas Eve always ends with a stroll through the neighborhood to look at the beautiful lights, hot cider in hand, hot buttered rum for the adults. There are always ham sandwiches on rye and homemade soup for dinner on Christmas Eve, for no reason other than my husband has been having ham sandwiches on Christmas Eve every year since he was a little boy. We never decorate the Christmas tree without hot cocoa stirred with a candy cane, nor do we miss a Thanksgiving without creating our thankful tree. The design has evolved over the last few years but the idea is the same. The tree is set up a couple weeks before Thanksgiving, a basket of leaves and a pen is set beside the barren tree. Slowly the tree fills as the days pass and family members and visitors leave little messages of gratitude on the leaves then hang them on the tree. The tree is full and beautiful by the time Thanksgiving arrives. Children love this tradition, pictures can be drawn by little ones who are not writing yet. This year Emily decided we should call it The Love and Gratitude Tree. Traditions evolve, but they are there - rich, and beautiful, and everlasting.
