tradition, both old and new, keeps us tied to the things that bind and keeps us bound. traditions can be used as crutches, allowing us to avoid change and keep things the same. traditions can also be used to showcase and celebrate a growing evolution amongst a group.

every year half my family gathers in either Ontario or Pennsylvania. you see, we’ve always lived far apart (one half of my family being American, the other Irish). The places we live change, the numbers change, but the sentiment is always the same – we’re doing everything we can to be as humanly close as possible.

this year people came from Ottawa, Toronto, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Alabama to celebrate Christmas and each other in my parents suburban home. there, the old traditions of hoagies, mass, and my grandfather reading “The Night Before Christmas” on christmas eve began. we experienced a possible new tradition of hot yoga on christmas day, and paintball a few days later. as usual, we part-took in the boxing-day-party tradition of close family friends. we worked out together, ate leftovers together, and watched an entire season of mad men together.

letting our grandfather read us a book we hear every year reminds us all that we’ve come from the same place. enjoying a yoga class taught by my sister celebrates growth and the recognition that, although we have changed significantly since we were children, we all can come together. my family has all left for their respective homes. each time i see them i attempt to tell them as honestly as i can that they mean something to me. i let my aunts and uncles know that their ways of caring and guiding me are noticed and appreciated. i let my cousins (who are all younger) know that i notice and care about their growth. i let my sisters and parents know their support is the most important thing to me.

more constantly and consistently i am being reminded of how much my family means and how special they are. this holiday season brought much needed joy to my life, and reminded me that despite anything else, my family will be there.