Who doesn’t love a good tradition, especially around the holidays. Traditions give us something positive to look forward to. They can also show us that we can indeed be consistent in something if we put our minds to it. The most beautiful aspect, in my opinion, is that traditions can bring us together with our friends and family, even if occasionally we can run each other crazy. Lastly when we’ve lost someone, maintaining those traditions can be the thing that keeps the memory of that person alive. One tradition I look forward to each year is buying a special ornament with my best friend/ fiancée.
This yearly custom started in 2019, the year before Covid Part 1(2020) and Covid Part 2(2021). That year Courtni and I made the brave decision to go out Black Friday shopping to our local mall. For those who have ever done any Black Friday shopping in person you know it might be a good idea to pray for safety and to know how to throw and take a punch.
After buying a couple of gifts for family members we decided to spoil ourselves with a Christ ornament that best suited the both of us. Our choice- a dapper gingerbread man with a oven mit in one hand and the other hand caressing the hand of a lovely gingerbread woman, holding a rolling pin in the opposite hand. Attached to the frying pan they lay upon is a heart keychain which reads, “Made With Love”.
Last year’s ornament was a sparkling diamond; mounted on a golden shank; inside a tiny, red ring box. For it was July 2020 that I boldly got down on one knee and serenaded Courtni at the Starbucks Coffee shop where we first talked in person. Funny how the ornament was a simpler find than the actual engagement ring. God only knows how times I visited online jeweler sites and how many rings I glanced at before finally finding the best one. Those who have done this know much of a struggle I’m the process can be.
This year’s newest addition to our collection are two fine China cups of coffee with our names on it. Below them reads, “2021”, along with “I love you a latte”. This ornament seemed the most appropriate for two reasons. One: Again, it was at a coffee shop where Courtni and I had our first in person conversation. Two: Courtni claims she absolutely cannot be without that stuff, whether it be chilled; warm; sweet; or bitter. While coffee is not my favorite beverage, I myself appreciate a chilled mocha or chilled vanilla if I really need to keep my eyes open when I have to drive home from work in the evening time.
Doing this tradition not only gives me something to look forward to. But looking at those ornaments hanging on my tree reminds me of how far I have come in the last few years and how much more I can accomplish in the years to come.
I ask you, what are your holiday traditions?Whether they be anything such as building gingerbread houses; holiday movie marathons; bedazzling every corner of your home with holiday getup; trying new recipes; or just your clan coming together to congregate around the holidays; please keep it all going. For your traditions can be a light in your life in the uncertain times we face.
Happy Holidays!
DavidSpeaks 