This past holiday season, Noah reminded me how important tradition is.
I did not realize I had been breaking so many traditions until Noah pointed it out the morning of NYE.
Apparently, I had been upsetting him since the week before Christmas when I did not put a star on top of our Christmas tree. I went for a different tree this year because the horse-lover in me couldn't resist these horse bag charms.
So I put them on our tree.
When Noah asked for a star, I put a yellow horse at the top of our tree.
He groaned & put his palm on his forehead, but I didn't realize he was serious about disliking the non-star trimming.
Then the morning of NYE, his dad told him that there might not be a fountain at fireworks this year because fireworks weren't as readily available this year.
The last straw was when he realized he didn't have any polka-dotted clothes and, trying to comfort him, I said, "It's okay. I don't have anything polka-dotted either". That's when he burst out, "We're breaking so many rules! No star on the Christmas tree, no fountain, no polka dots!"
And so I scrambled to DIY bowties & a bow out of fabric tape a few hours before midnight to keep at least one tradition alive for Noah.
Noah reminded me that family traditions are treasured heirlooms you pass on to your children so they can pass them on to their children. They are meaningful experiences that will become precious memories they will look back on when they're all grown up.
His dad & I broke the news about our amicable separation about a year ago. I guess, as Susan Lieberman said, "Family traditions help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world." And I guess Noah needed that.
I am so glad, for my kids' sake, that despite our now 8-year-long separation, we still make it a point to spend special occasions together.
Our family photo is a tradition that we will always, always keep.
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