Family Traditions/Ceremonies/Rituals

[Sunny]

I'm sure you do miss your sister-in-law. I lost two cousins who were like sisters to me and it was very hard. After my mother died, it was really strange to think I was the matriarch of our family, and isn't it strange to be an adult orphan?

Yes, Anne...it is a bit strange being an adult orphan. Funny, I've referred to myself as that a few times....my father has been gone for 13 years (I was only 27 at the time), mother died 6 years ago.

I feel the worst for my children. They only have 1 grandparent and she lives 5 states away. *shrug* We make the best of it.

[Anne]

I was 23 when my dad died, but I was fortunate that my mother lived until I was 42. One of my biggest regrets was that I never really had a chance to have real adult conversations with my dad and my son never had the benefit of his attention.

[Sandy Eggo]

Yes, Anne...it is a bit strange being an adult orphan. Funny, I've referred to myself as that a few times....my father has been gone for 13 years (I was only 27 at the time), mother died 6 years ago.

I feel the worst for my children. They only have 1 grandparent and she lives 5 states away. *shrug* We make the best of it.

I know what you mean. When I grew up, we had gatherings at my house every Sunday. The "local" family was always here, but then sometimes we'd get a treat and some extended family or visiting family would show up. They never called to see if mom was cooking - it was understood.

My children don't have that. We have family around, but family get togethers are failures. It doesn't seem to be a priority for anyone.

Something kind of interesting though is that I've established a tradition and didn't really mean to. I LOVE picnics. I have a "picnic" kit in the trunk of my car which basically consists of paper and plastic products a couple folding chairs (that double for sports and or beach) and an old blanket. At the drop of a hat, if I see a cool spot, I'll grab some food and we'll throw the blanket out and have a picnic.

When my son's relationship became serious and he wanted me to meet his girlfriend, he insisted that it be at a picnic. That's what he wanted to do more than anything. My daughter has a boyfriend now and I suggested an outting with his family. She wanted a picnic.

So I had to ask, because honestly I was getting the feeling they were humoring me and she said, "our best memories are picnics and there's no reason to change".

[Locutus]

What a great story Sandy!  That's awesome!

[Palehorse]

I know what you mean. When I grew up, we had gatherings at my house every Sunday. The "local" family was always here, but then sometimes we'd get a treat and some extended family or visiting family would show up. They never called to see if mom was cooking - it was understood.

My children don't have that. We have family around, but family get togethers are failures. It doesn't seem to be a priority for anyone.

Something kind of interesting though is that I've established a tradition and didn't really mean to. I LOVE picnics. I have a "picnic" kit in the trunk of my car which basically consists of paper and plastic products a couple folding chairs (that double for sports and or beach) and an old blanket. At the drop of a hat, if I see a cool spot, I'll grab some food and we'll throw the blanket out and have a picnic.

When my son's relationship became serious and he wanted me to meet his girlfriend, he insisted that it be at a picnic. That's what he wanted to do more than anything. My daughter has a boyfriend now and I suggested an outting with his family. She wanted a picnic.

So I had to ask, because honestly I was getting the feeling they were humoring me and she said, "our best memories are picnics and there's no reason to change".

That is an awesome story, and it brings back memories for me as well. . . Growing up in Chicago we didn't have a whole lot of family around, and most of them lived out of state. So mom and dad would often load all of us up in the car and we'd go for a "ride" out into the country. (Which was a long ride from Chicago even back then).

They'd always pack blankets and a cooler into the trunk, and somewhere along the back roads they'd decide it was time for a picnic and we'd upload and spread out the blankets and have a great time. Frequently the spots they chose were near a river, lake, or pond, and dad always had the fishing poles in the car.

Some great memories there and thanks for  shaking them loose! 

[Sunny]

Great traditions indeed. As a child, my grandparents hosted the family picnics in their backyard. Always loved Grandma's macaroni salad, deviled eggs, and orange jello salad. 

My mom and her boyfriend were much more spontaneous...we'd often jump in the car and drive wherever the road took us.  Sometimes we'd randomly stop at little diners to eat, but often we'd stop at little convenience stores to pick up deli foods. Anyone remember "WonderRoast Chickens"? If a little planning went into the roadside picnics, the Coleman stove would be toted along and they'd fry up potatoes.

I really need to start taking my children on more picnics! 

[Palehorse]

When my kids were growing up in the Chicagoland area, we'd frequently pack up the cooler and some chairs and head to the lakefront. There, or one of the many forest preserves that are in the suburban areas.

Some great times, and we'd almost always run into other families we knew and make a party out of it.

[The Troll]

When my kids were growing up in the Chicagoland area, we'd frequently pack up the cooler and some chairs and head to the lakefront. There, or one of the many forest preserves that are in the suburban areas.

Some great times, and we'd almost always run into other families we knew and make a party out of it.

  When I was young and my grandmother was living.  All of the families would gather at grandmother's house.  She was the matriarch.  When she passed away it all went away.  So sad, but the memories are still great.