Family Traditions

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, and I couldn’t help but recall past family traditions, now I suspect lost in the rearview mirror.

For many years we would gather at the folks’ for Sunday late mid-day dinner, and after the kitchen was in order, we assembled in the driveway to jump rope.

Palm Sunday was the beginning of spring in Minnesota, or nearly so.

My father was the instigator at the beginning of many, if not all, of the traditions. More than likely to get the kids out of the house.

As the folks got older, Dad purchased a tandem bike for him and mother to ride, and on holidays, the grandkids.

When my brother and I were about to marry, mother said something along the lines of, “I don’t care who you marry but I have Christmas Day, Easter, and Thanksgiving.” She really did care and made her feelings known. And she got her wish. She had the whole family at all the major holidays. And not begrudgingly so, I sensed everyone enjoyed attending.

After all the day’s events wound down during the winter, it might have been a journey to the local ice rink, or singing around the piano. And another was family photos on the front steps. All initially prompted by Dad and later on by the older grandkids. When we loaded to leave, all were ready for bed.

I wonder what happened to family traditions. I suspect younger families have them, but with our culture; I think it’s waning.

My father never worked on Sundays. He did the remaining six days, but I not on Sunday.

Many years later I traveled to New Zealand and was pleasantly surprised to see virtually nothing open on Sundays. When I asked the taxi driver, “Where is everyone?” his response was “at the cricket match.” , “every one?”, “Yup, we’re playing Australia for a championship.”

I hope they kept that practice unlike the US going after the almighty dollar. I remember thinking we’d have fewer family problems in the US if we went back to Sunday closing, letting people rest and learn to enjoy each other - family time.

In Costa Rica, while I’m not envolved in any families here, what I see is many businesses are closed, buses run less often. This week being Holy week, its very much observed here. I had all my supplies by Wednesday, as every place is closed for certain Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

This weekend is a major time for the locals to head to the beach. Also, a place to avoid, as traffic will be horrendous.

Family values and traditions aren’t extinct but are on the decline. I think it takes an effort, and I know the rewards are there.