Family Rituals and Traditions – September 07, 2003
Almost every evening a single father gathers his children around the dinner table so they can share the good and not-so-good events in their day. They call it their “apple” and “onion” of the day. Sometimes they can’t wait to tell each other something, and other times they feel like they don’t have much to share. They eat and they talk, but they do something more. They connect with one another; they listen, encourage, sometimes laugh and cry together. Such daily rituals strengthen families by reminding them of who they are and what they’re about.
Family rituals and traditions are like anchors in a sea of uncertainty. They provide family members with a safe harbor, a familiar and secure environment that shows them they are loved. They connect the generations and give meaning to family life. In today’s world, so full of distraction and difficulty, we need them more than ever.
Be they many or few, simple or elaborate, every family can be blessed by rituals and traditions. The key is to be more intentional about creating good, wholesome, and worthwhile activities that build strong bonds and create memories. Some families have Sabbath-day rituals or weekend activities and summer outings. Some go stargazing, picnicking, or walking. Other families read bedtime stories, kiss loved ones good-bye, hang birthday balloons, or put notes on pillows. All can attest that these simple gestures, when regularly performed, help them to feel more in touch with each other, more unified, more loved.
At their best, traditions create a sense of belonging and a feeling of love that is shared with one generation after another. A young mother sings her baby the same lullaby her father sang to her and his mother sang to him. In that moment of song, a mother cuddles her infant and feels a closeness with those who have gone before her.
Family rituals and traditions are a lifelong blessing. The happy memories they create become treasures in the heart that enrich the good and the not-so-good days of our lives.
Program #3864