Christmas in Hawaii?

Years ago my parents decided to take my younger siblings who were still living at home to Hawaii for Christmas. None of the older sibs, myself included, who had married and moved out of the family home were invited. As much as I would have loved a chance to travel, I was actually very happy for them and excited to spend the holiday with my own little family.


An interesting thing happened though. Prior to this, as far back as I can remember, we had a family tradition of gathering on Christmas morning for a special breakfast of fresh scones, scrambled eggs, and bacon. So, imagine my delight on Christmas Day, when I discovered that all of us had recreated the traditional Christmas breakfast on our own, even those who were in Hawaii. Needless to say there was a great deal of laughter as we heard about their escapades gathering the ingredients and figuring out how to cook in their hotel room. 


Mom later told me that as much fun as it was to be away, she would not be going to Hawaii for Christmas again. She preferred being close to as much of the family as possible. Families grow and change. Mom and Dad have both been gone for many years now. We still have Christmas scones, scrambled eggs, and bacon, but we play around with the side dishes, the drinks, and the time of day.


Holiday traditions bind us together. They are important. They help us feel connected and grounded, part of something bigger than ourselves, which helps us be more resilient through the good times and the bad. But traditions can grow and change as well to fit the evolving family, and that’s a powerful way of feeling connected too.


So, with Thanksgiving behind us, and Christmas around the corner, are there traditions you will keep just as they are? Ones you might shift or tweak a bit to better fit the family now? And any that it is time to let go of? 


Happy Failing Forward,

Anne