Tradition

Jean and I make new traditions every once in a while, like picking blueberries on the fourth of July. With us both having lost our parents, and with us having no children, many would consider our traditions unusual, but we don't. Come Christmas Eve, we were always doing something with my side of the family, but this year will be different. Christmas day was always at Homer and Sue's, Jean's folks, but this year things are different. The traditions that I had, as a young man, have all but vanished, but that is all right.

This year, with almost three weeks off, a new tradition just might begin. We have decided to take the Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville all the way to its end in Mississippi. There will be so much Americana to take in, on this trip, and other two or three day trips to come, that we feel a new, special event just might be born.

The traditions of shooting fireworks on Christmas Eve, and not being able to go to sleep in anticipation of a visit from St. Nick, have been replaced. We now enjoy eating finger foods and all the baking that the holidays bring. If you see smiles on our faces, you will know it is from all the sights, sounds, and smells, rather than from all the presents we received. As Hank would say:”it's just a family tradition”.