Family holidays and traditions play a pivotal role in shaping our memories, strengthening bonds, and passing down values from generation to generation. Whether it's a special veggie dish prepared every Thanksgiving or an annual summer vacation at the beach in Michigan, these rituals create a sense of belonging, continuity, and shared history. Let's explore the significance of family holidays and traditions and offer ideas on creating and maintaining them.

It’s the time of year when everything is blooming to life again. The seeds planted in the Fall are yielding beautiful buds and flowers that one day will produce a harvest.

And in the Spring, we celebrate Easter. Easter, for the faithful, is the resurrection of Christ from death to life. And, just like new buds, It is through death that new life is born. This seems so opposite and upside down from what is intuitive to nature.

Ah, Spring…

Growing up in the Midwest, we had the privilege of experiencing the significant changes that the four seasons bring. There is something magical with each change, and yes, some challenges. Spring brings the flowers blooming and warmer weather. Almost in an instant, summer heats up, and we knew what the "dog days of summer" really meant. Then, the beautiful and colorful foliage and harvests set the stage for the winter chills where the snow could be found in "feet" and not "inches."

What assessments have you taken to determine your personality, communication style, or strengths? Was it Meyer Briggs, Gallup’s Strength Finders, or DISC? Did you know that what you had for lunch as a kid could also tell you lots about yourself? Peanut Butter and Jelly or Bologna with Mayonnaise were common options for a Baby Boomer. Take peanut butter, for example. Did you like crunchy or smooth? Did you know that people that prefer crunchy peanut butter consider themselves optimists?

Honoring those that gave their lives for their country while serving in the military is the true meaning of Memorial Day. But as a child, it was time for a parade, picnics, and an extra day off from school. We decorated our bikes and dressed according to the theme, patriotic. It was our mini version of a parade float—a celebration time.

Do you have a memory so intense that it feels like it was just yesterday?

We are all the sum parts of what influenced us as children, and I am no different.

Before I was ever tasked to weed a garden, I remember being amazed every summer when my grandmother’s peonies took bloom? For us it was incredible. The peonies were on the sunny side of her house

Who doesn't like slime for Valentine's Day?

No, this isn't about Slimer, the ghost made up of pure ectoplasm and the first ghost captured by the Ghostbusters. Rather that ooey-gooey, slippery blob of runny fun. Count me in!

I know, I know, a traditional Valentine's Day usually involves flowers and romantic dinners, and typically NOT slime.

I admit it…I love to cook. Spaghetti, fries, salmon and anything in between. Let’s get our grand babies excited about creating masterpieces in the kitchen.

What's your favorite part of Halloween? Pumpkin carving? Trick-or-Treating? Cooking s'mores over a fire?

S'mores, costumes, and the thrill of trick-or-treating, I love it all! I am so excited to have grandkids…mainly for the excuse to go trick-or-treating again!

Temperatures are cooling down; leaves are turning beautiful colors. There is a good chance you are already groaning at the thought of raking up those never-ending, car-size piles of leaves this fall—just another task on that checklist. Until now…you have grandkids!

One of the most significant parts of fall is all the fantastic leaves of different sizes, shapes, and textures.

What would you do if you knew you had 6 months to live?

I know that's a heady question, but we never take the easy road with our blogs.

If you don't know, that is the premise of an impressive 2007 movie, The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman (a car mechanic) and Jack Nicholson (a billionaire).

If grandchildren visit for a weekend, or a week or two, have a planned schedule of fun. To make it memorable, create a name for your camp, such as GG's Week, Nanaland, or Gramping. Our kids' summer camp at my parent's lake house was called Camp Cadillac, coined by our youngest son. Having dyslexia, he confused the word Cadillac with Kayak. The term stuck as we enjoyed cadillacing (kayaking) all summer long. You can create matching t-shirts with the camp name or logo for fun. A distinguishable shirt serves a dual purpose during field trips to easily spot members in your group.

If you're old enough to remember those words, then you probably have realized that "Father knows best" is God's truth.

Those words, Father Knows Best, are from the title of what was first a 1950's radio show and later a TV sitcom that ran from 1954 thru 1960. The father, Jim Anderson, was played by actor Robert Young. Jim always had wise advice in response to his children's questions, requests and problems.

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." — Audrey Hepburn. My favorite actress and one of my favorite movies she stared in was "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Holly Golightly's transformation from a country girl into a Manhattan socialite was a total refresh which I will address in another blog.

Spring break is frequently associated with warm climate locations such as Daytona Beach, Panama City Beach, and Cancun, Mexico. It is typically attended by students partying regardless of participants' age or educational level. But Spring break can also be one of the best times to gather your grandkids and get them out of town, giving their parents a "Spring Break" of their own. With cold weather beginning to fade, everyone is eager to spend some time just relaxing and having fun in the sun. Whether your trip involves planes, trains, or automobiles, it's just the perfect time to get out and be together, making memories that will last a lifetime.

I know, I know, we are already 17 days into 2022, and now, all these days later, I want to talk about New Year's resolutions! A little late, perhaps? Maybe not.

You might have conducted a quick Google™ search when you were thinking about your 2022 plans back in December. If you were so inclined to take that quick Google search, it took you, in less than .60 seconds, to over 140,000,000 possible new year's resolution ideas for 2022.

Memories are an interesting thing!

We all have memories, good and bad. Some of these memories are vague, and others are with us as if it were yesterday when the event occurred. One thing for certain. We all have vivid memories of our childhood Christmas'. These memories run deep. When asked, or when the first Christmas tree is put up or the holiday songs begins, our memories of the traditions, the stories, the road trips, and the gifts come rushing back to us as if it was just yesterday. But I must ask.

Pierogi, Kluski, Golabki, Chrusciki, Makowiec are delicious words my sisters and I learned at birth from the Polish family we grew up with back in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Polish food is served at our weekly family get-togethers throughout the year, but they have a special meaning for the five of us sisters on Christmas Eve every year.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy  Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year to everyone.  Whatever holiday you are celebrating, be mindful of not allowing commercialization to get in the way of the traditions.  In 2021, everyone panicked about not getting gifts in time due to supply chain issues.  However, the gifts are not what is important.  It is getting together with family and friends with traditions old and new.  When you light a menorah, the seven candles, or the advent wreath, you are strengthening family bonds.  Traditions improve family stability, increase the feeling of belonging, and bring overall better well-being and health.

As we countdown until Christmas, we are beginning to see festive decorations lining the streets of our towns and neighborhoods. Stores are filled with healthy and smiling shoppers, and there are shoppers loaded down with bags filled with goodies anywhere you look. Of course, the other holiday experience is the parking lot crunch when finding a parking spot during the holiday season is not for the faint of heart. These exterior experiences are only a piece of the magic and memories of Christmas.