I love to write about family and traditions. I always try to encourage you to go out and make fun memories with people you love – but I have a holiday secret.
You see, when I was a kid, growing up we didn’t really celebrate too much. I grew up in a what most today would consider a poverty-stricken household, though I would never have thought that myself as a child. My sister and I would carelessly play in our tiny room inside out 1970’s mobile home that was settled on a large lot in the country. We would often explore outdoors and hide under plum trees. I enjoyed my childhood and wouldn’t change it if I could.
We didn’t know we were poor.
I don’t know why, but holidays were always something that was just so exciting for me as a kid. I loved the idea of decorating the house, creating ornaments and baking treats together. Big family meals was always something that I dreamed of.
But we rarely had those things.
My family didn’t, and still doesn’t quite see eye to eye with me on holiday and family traditions. Holidays seemed to stress my parents, and now that I’m an adult I can see why – there are lots of costs involved with this time of the year, though I think that the emphasis doesn’t always have to be on what was spent or purchased.
Anyways, the fact of the matter is, while I encourage you to make big memories and celebrate with family, in our household we don’t personally get to experience that. Our family is spread apart across the state and never all collaborates together this time of the year. While I have big dreams of getting my family together for celebrations, I’ve come to the realization that it’s probably never going to happen. My priorities in life aren’t necessarily theirs.
I know there are others out there like me who are in the same boat.
All I can say is this. Break that mold. Become the new tradition. My kids probably will never understand until they are adults all of the things I’ve tried to do, all of the traditions I’ve attempted to create. I want them to have that foundation and to run with it.
If you are so lucky as to have a large family that lives close or gathers together this season; be grateful. If not, do the best you can, for you; for someone. You can be the change. You can make new traditions and memories. It won’t always be perfect, but at least you can say you tried.
Happy holidays my friends – let’s change this year together.
~Melissa
