I used to love watching my breath in the frozen air as we would go caroling on a cold winter’s night around our neighborhood. Sometimes our neighbors would even invite us in for hot cocoa. Other times we enjoyed stringing fresh popped popcorn to decorate our Christmas tree or spend the evening reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with my sister and brother. I loved all of our old traditions around the holidays. But as I’ve gotten older, many of my favorite traditions have been forgotten. I no longer live where it snows or even gets below 50 degrees and since I watch my carbs I wouldn’t dare think of having popcorn in my house. My brother has a family of his own and my sister lives 3000 miles away. Before you know it, Christmas is a chore. You have to decide what gifts to buy which people and figure out how to fit it in your budget. So, you work extra hours to get it all done, only to be completely exhausted when you finally get home. This HAS to change. I miss the smell of mom’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. We’d bake them together every year. I miss taking a drive around the city simply to look at the pretty lights and decorations.
I decided I have to make a conscious choice to make new traditions. I need new ways to celebrate the season that work with my lifestyle. It’s important to have traditions, no matter what holiday you celebrate. It bonds us together and gives meaning to the holiday and to our lives.
So, now my husband and I have dinner on Christmas Eve every year with my brother’s family. We get to enjoy his children and the traditional Cuban feast. My sister and I will watch “White Christmas” at the same time 3000 miles apart, but call each other and sing the “Sisters” song from the movie together on the phone. Then cry. I will bake “moms” cookies with my husband and once again the house fills with that delicious familiar aroma. Times change and life changes. But we can and should adapt to find new ways to keep traditions alive. This year they opened our first outdoor ice skating rink and we plan to give it a try.