Traditions

I think part of what makes holidays so special are the different traditions we form in their honor. It seems that these traditions were present at an increased level when we were children and then they faded or morphed into other practices as we grew older. We stopped doing the extended family get together on Christmas. It was the tradition that no one enjoyed participating in ...until the last couple of years when the boxed wine started making appearances... At one point I became too cool to have my father read The Night Before Christmas to me on Christmas Eve and all traditions Santa related ceased when I made the horrifying pre-Christmas discovery of the various toys I requested in my letter to him hidden in the basement.

Now that I am an independent person, living on my own and having my own life, it seems fitting that I begin creating my own traditions. I am so completely honored and appreciative to have some of the most amazing friends. Coming from a small family whom I'm not always the closest with, sometimes it seems my friends are really my family. There are times when they certainly know me better than any of my blood relatives. This time of year is meant to be shared with loved ones, and although I will be spending time with my family, I'm glad that I have begun to make traditions with my friends as well.

Last night Tania and I trekked to that quaint little bar in the absolute middle of nowhere for our second year of pre-Christmas celebrating with the lovely Holly and Sarah. Last year's gathering was what would later be deemed "the unfortunate beer choice of 2007" (actually, I just deemed it that). I was so excited that they still had Sam Adams Octoberfest on tap that I disregarded that voice in my head telling me it is not wise to drink a fall beer in December. My stomach already was churning by the time we drove home and what occurred that night prevented me from even looking at a beer without grimacing for a good 6 months. That is one tradition I was not willing to carry on. I opted for a nice glass of Dr. Franks, but was sad, being the responsible driver that I am, to be unable to partake in all of the delicious concoctions coming our way from the handsome man at the bar. They seemed to be created with love and thoughtfulness.

It's amazing to think about how much has changed since last year when we met there. Some are minor, while others have been life altering. It's as small as a haircut and as large as a moment in time that rocked the very foundation you thought was underneath you. But some things do not change over time-like how much we love and support one another, no matter what the situation. That is a tradition I hope carries on for a lifetime.