Traditions

In a family, there are acts that are repeated over and over to the point of them becoming second nature. That usually is coupled with taking them for granted. Through the years, the holidays we celebrate suffer the same consequences. You get to a point where it seems you're just going through the motions.

I don't know if it's old age, the fact that this is the last year of having a child at home, the fact that we've lost both our Mothers, or just what it is. But I am becoming more present in the moments we share together as a family. It's not just the big things I notice, but more the small things.

Jennifer came in today to spend Easter with us. We sat down to dinner together as a family for the first time since Christmas. As usual our conversation jumped all over the place. We talked about tattoos, Cassidi's senior family trip, Jennifer's senior family trip, Jennifer's job, Cassidi's school happenings, college, Jennifer's dog, our animals, the food we were eating, Cassidi's finickiness, etc. It's all stream of consciousness and whoever can keep the best train of thought gets their questions answered. Those that can't, stay confused. Bless his heart, it's usually Tony with the deer in the headlights look. A by product of living in a house full of women.

After dinner, we sat around and continued with more conversation. It's only when Jennifer comes home that we can extract Cassidi from her dungeon. Jen doesn't like it down there because she remembers when it was enclosed and had a door. She was afraid she get locked down there. She's obviously watched too many scary movies.

Having the family together is nourishing. We fight, bicker, and argue. But we also love, appreciate, and encourage. It is a time to reminisce about the past and plan the future. Jennifer remembers home more as Charlotte. But since we've been here nearly 7 years now, she's gotten used to the notion of calling it home. As with most people, it doesn't matter what structure you live in, but the warmth you feel that defines home.

I'm grateful for my little family. We might not always see eye to eye, but we always love each other at the end of the day. These are the traditions that I hope carry on from year to year and from generation to generation. Our parents taught us these practices and we're teaching them to our girls. I'm so appreciative that we came from loving homes and can pass that on to our children.

I hope each of you have someone to love and someone that loves you this Easter weekend. The Fancy Gap McCanns send you our love and prayers of peace.