tradition was a different sort of thought for me to sit with
we (b+e+m+i) don't really have any traditions that have lasted . . .
the only one that has held for all the years i have been married to ben -
we have made each other homemade valentines every year for 22 years
otherwise, everything else has had seasons -
based on where we live,
ben's and my work schedules,
and the kids' schedules,
based on how much money we had to spend,
or how creative we have had to be . . .
so . . .
i have a variety of holiday and birthday memories . . .
that come with layers of peace and melancholy,
immense difficulty and determined, gritty happiness . . .
the only thread of tradition is finding joy together
tradition (for christmas)
1. we always have a tree (but we never put it up on the same date - and we have had a v a r i e t y of kinds)
2. always there is christmas music
3. we always have presents (though number, size, and day and time of opening are never the same)
4. there is always at least one nativity scene gracing our living space
5. i always find something (and often lots of somethings) seasonal to read
6. i send a christmas letter and picture every year (except the year i sent a new-year card . . . )
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joining michelle and company, taking a holiday pause, making lists
maddie and i made the little trees in december of 2013 . . . they have made an appearance off-and-on through the years . . . and here they are on their ten-year anniversary . . . hanging in my office, making merry and bright