A Family Tradition
Saturday was not my son’s birthday. It was, however, the night of his birthday party at my parent’s house.
In a tradition that dates back to my childhood, our family gathers to eat and give gifts to the birthday boy or girl. It is a great way to celebrate, keep the family in touch, and extend the birthday celebration because the party is weeks, sometimes months after the person’s actual birthday, since it’s often difficult to get everyone together.
On Saturday, we were not just celebrating my son’s birthday. He shared the party with his aunt, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandma.
As I watched everyone open their presents, I was struck with the memory of myself as a child, opening presents in the same house, surrounded by the same people.
My parents still live in the house where I spent my childhood. They moved in when I was three, and though I have a house and family of my own, it still has a special feeling for me.
When I was a teenager, I dreamt of getting out. I dreamt of moving away and finding adventure and excitement somewhere else. But as I think back, I would not change a thing.
In fact, as I watched my son on Saturday, I was reminded of how lucky I was, and still am, to be surrounded by multi-generation of family. I was reminded that the excitement and adventures that some places have to offer don’t compare to the comfort of family.
In thirty years, when my son thinks about his ninth birthday party, he may remember the giant remote control buzz light year he was given, or the tackle box he’s been wanting. But I think he’ll remember sitting on his great-grandma’s lap as she helped him read his cards (not because he doesn’t read well, but more because he loves her help).
He’ll remember his two year old cousin yelling at everyone for not following the rules that he arbitrarily made up. He’ll remember the feast before the gifts, and the ice-cream cake afterwards.
He’ll remember his family gathered together, laughing and joking and sharing time together, giving gifts and being a family.
He’ll remember that he shared his birthday with people who love him, from great-grandma to young cousin.
I know he’ll remember these things, because as I watched him Saturday, laughing excitedly and anticipating each present, they were what I remembered.
In that house.
With those people.
Short URL: http://osawatominews.com/?p=159
Posted by Jeremy
on Aug 25 2010. Filed under Jeremy Gulley, Opinion.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry