There is something to be said about traditions, rituals and tried and true events that anchor your life. Think back to one of  the traditions in your life…you know exactly what it is, don’t you? That one event that happened every year that you looked forward too and that no matter what was happening, you somehow attended.

I grew up with a Mid-Western mother who loved and created many a tradition for us growing up and I have started a few of my own. Last night, we celebrated our annual pumpkin carving party. It’s not a huge crowd and we have had most of the same families the sunday before Halloween for well over 15 years. We have the same menu, off the same dishes and do the same thing and while it is nothing special….it is special, simply in the fact, that it is tradition.

Now that we all have children in college, and some of them are making the trip home for pumpkin carving, I realize how this simple tradition has become an anchor. Our lives are so full and the days so fast, that we can barely process what has happened in a 24 hour period. I am blessed by traditions given to me and by the ones I have given to others.

Anytime you give of yourselves to make another’s life better, it is a gift. Last night my gift was not service. My gift to those I love was the gift of tradition.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.