The Power of Traditions
Traditions have a way of rooting us—quietly, steadily, often without us noticing how much they matter until the moment we need them most. They connect us to our past, to our people, and to the memories that sit gently at the edges of our hearts.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been thinking about the traditions that shaped me. Mine began with my parents and have carried forward through the years, becoming one of the greatest joys of my life. For the past sixteen years, since moving to New Jersey, I’ve opened my home to nearly twenty-five family members who travel from six different states for three days of food, laughter, and reconnection.
The ritual is simple but deeply meaningful: the dishes they love, the conversations that spill late into the night, Scrabble games that get surprisingly competitive, and our annual family football pool that has become its own cherished tradition. There is something grounding about preparing the same foods, setting the same tables, and welcoming the same faces year after year. It reminds me of where I come from—and how grateful I am for the family I’m part of.
This year, I’ve been reflecting on another tradition that has taken on new meaning since losing my sister. While she celebrated Thanksgiving with her own family, she and I shared a Christmas ritual that I now carry forward for her granddaughters: choosing the special White House ornament each year and sending it to them with love. It’s a small gesture, but it keeps her presence close. It honors her. And it connects me to the people she adored most.
That’s the beautiful thing about traditions: some stay the same, and some evolve.
Some tie us to the people who gather around our table, and some keep us close to the ones who no longer can.
As we enter the holiday season, I invite you to reflect on your own traditions—old, new, or still forming.
Which ones bring you joy?
Which ones connect you to the people you love?
Which ones do you want to carry forward into the future?
Traditions don’t have to be grand to matter. Often, it’s the simplest ones—the games, the recipes, the inside jokes, the small acts of love—that carry the deepest meaning.
And sometimes, they’re the things that help us feel whole again.
Author’s Note:
This reflection is woven from the same threads that inspired The Long Way Here—the stories, traditions, losses, and moments of connection that shape who we are. My hope is that these words remind you of your own roots, your own rituals, and the people who make your life meaningful.