Well obviously I have NO Thanksgiving tradition so we are kind of making our own up as we go along. We just had a quiet day - just the four of us. I spent the day with my three favorite people - so yes, thankful for that.
Divorce and frequent travel puts a "damper" on traditional happenings for all of our holiday -- SO accepting that...each year is different and I embrace the MEANING behind each holiday and focus on those who I am with. It works GREAT for us...love how ALL things are new!! =)
Yes, you are right, Susan. Personally, I think too much is made of the holidays. We get together with family/friends when it's convenient for everyone; be it in the middle of the summer or a chilly winter weekend. Too much hoopla and expectations between Thanksgiving, Chanuka, Christmas and New Years - when it's all over I am very happy :)
Over the years, traditions have had to change due to location changes/moves, deaths, etc. Our tradition is learning how to embrace change which doesn't sound like a tradition, but ironically it has become our tradition.....to embrace change.
Our tradition was everyone crowded around the table. Same food, same company, same football games.... now with my kids - we seem to be somewhere different every year, but we are together and that is what counts.
I was struck, watching your video, how much my tradition has been the act of spending time with people I have heart connections with, whether bio or chosen family. T hat feeling is a -sense sustained over the years, rather than a specific activity or group. I haven't been "feasting" these last 2 years but, rather, enjoying a quiet meal with my partner/wife and my mom at her retirement community Things become simpler these last few years, but no less precious.
@WayofJoyQigong Those quiet moments with those special people are precious and what Thanksgiving is all about. Your mom is lucky as is your partner/wife!
What has stayed the same? being with people I love and admire most. When I was growing up our family traditions were celebrating holidays with all the orphaned families (the same ones!) in our area. Every Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day there'd be the same 15 families at Aptos Beach. Every Christmas Eve they'd be at our house. Loved it.
Traditions are important - being flexible to the changes in tradition as families grow and change is just as important!
For me the most important tradition of Thanksgiving (the one that always has been a part of my life) is to be able to share with people you love, that you care for and that have nobody to share the day with. We all have many things to be thankful for ~ what better day to share the wealth? :-)
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!!! ♥♥♥
Thank you for reminding us about the importance of traditions. I agree that it's not so much about where it's held or the food, it's about being with people you love. That's what matters most. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
@ErikaTheTeenCoach Having good food is just a bonus. And we lucked out. The restaurant we went to was quite good but the best part was who we were with!
I so appreciate the many "orphan holidays" that were opened up to me when I lived far away from family. This year, I am home, and joyously breathing in the kitchen full of mom's cooking and anticipating the arrival of family. Any way its celebrated, simply appreciating the day as it unfolds is the best tradition for me:-)
@JillSessa I love the sense you create of letting it happen, unfold the way it does - breathing and appreciating every moment. Makes me smile and feel love.
We didn't have a family tradition like many families and I wish we did. They seem to have such an impact for families too. Thanks for sharing your traditions.
Traditions and being with family are wonderful. We have certainly enjoyed many wonderful moments.
HomeTransformations 3 months ago
Well obviously I have NO Thanksgiving tradition so we are kind of making our own up as we go along. We just had a quiet day - just the four of us. I spent the day with my three favorite people - so yes, thankful for that.
LouiseEdington 3 months ago
Divorce and frequent travel puts a "damper" on traditional happenings for all of our holiday -- SO accepting that...each year is different and I embrace the MEANING behind each holiday and focus on those who I am with. It works GREAT for us...love how ALL things are new!! =)
keepingitpersonal 3 months ago
Yes, you are right, Susan. Personally, I think too much is made of the holidays. We get together with family/friends when it's convenient for everyone; be it in the middle of the summer or a chilly winter weekend. Too much hoopla and expectations between Thanksgiving, Chanuka, Christmas and New Years - when it's all over I am very happy :)
laurieshurley 3 months ago
Over the years, traditions have had to change due to location changes/moves, deaths, etc. Our tradition is learning how to embrace change which doesn't sound like a tradition, but ironically it has become our tradition.....to embrace change.
ReviveTribe 3 months ago
@ReviveTribe I think a lot of us could learn to embrace change. Not a bad tradition and one I'm learning as part of my Thanksgiving as well.
susanberland 3 months ago
Our tradition was everyone crowded around the table. Same food, same company, same football games.... now with my kids - we seem to be somewhere different every year, but we are together and that is what counts.
laurieshurley 3 months ago
@laurieshurley Sounds a lot like what I talk about. As circumstances change, traditions change. And being together is what counts.
susanberland 3 months ago
I was struck, watching your video, how much my tradition has been the act of spending time with people I have heart connections with, whether bio or chosen family. T hat feeling is a -sense sustained over the years, rather than a specific activity or group. I haven't been "feasting" these last 2 years but, rather, enjoying a quiet meal with my partner/wife and my mom at her retirement community Things become simpler these last few years, but no less precious.
WayofJoyQigong 3 months ago
@WayofJoyQigong Those quiet moments with those special people are precious and what Thanksgiving is all about. Your mom is lucky as is your partner/wife!
susanberland 3 months ago
What has stayed the same? being with people I love and admire most. When I was growing up our family traditions were celebrating holidays with all the orphaned families (the same ones!) in our area. Every Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day there'd be the same 15 families at Aptos Beach. Every Christmas Eve they'd be at our house. Loved it.
NancyHopkin 3 months ago
@NancyHopkin What a lovely tradition to grow up with. It has obviously stayed with you. I feel it in what you write.
susanberland 3 months ago
Love this video Susan!
Traditions are important - being flexible to the changes in tradition as families grow and change is just as important!
For me the most important tradition of Thanksgiving (the one that always has been a part of my life) is to be able to share with people you love, that you care for and that have nobody to share the day with. We all have many things to be thankful for ~ what better day to share the wealth? :-)
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!!! ♥♥♥
LNVMiami 3 months ago
@LNVMiami We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you did as well. Being with people you love and care about is what it's all about, isn't it!
susanberland 3 months ago
Thank you for reminding us about the importance of traditions. I agree that it's not so much about where it's held or the food, it's about being with people you love. That's what matters most. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
ErikaTheTeenCoach 3 months ago
@ErikaTheTeenCoach Having good food is just a bonus. And we lucked out. The restaurant we went to was quite good but the best part was who we were with!
susanberland 3 months ago
I so appreciate the many "orphan holidays" that were opened up to me when I lived far away from family. This year, I am home, and joyously breathing in the kitchen full of mom's cooking and anticipating the arrival of family. Any way its celebrated, simply appreciating the day as it unfolds is the best tradition for me:-)
JillSessa 3 months ago
@JillSessa I love the sense you create of letting it happen, unfold the way it does - breathing and appreciating every moment. Makes me smile and feel love.
susanberland 3 months ago
We didn't have a family tradition like many families and I wish we did. They seem to have such an impact for families too. Thanks for sharing your traditions.
beverlymonical 3 months ago
@beverlymonical Growing up, neither did we. I'm creating a new tradition so it's never too late!
susanberland 3 months ago