This past Thursday, I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. We had four generations present from my husband’s side of the family. My son-in-law had a joyful reunion with biological father whom he had not seen in ten years. It was a good day and many positive emotions were experienced.

My daughter has started the tradition of creating a Thanksgiving tree. She pasted the trunks and limbs of a tree on the wall. Then she traced the hands of her children on colored construction paper. Each person who was present for dinner was asked to write something they were thankful for on one of the hands and then place it on the tree. It was moving to read the different things that each of us were thankful for.

I think that traditions are what make most holidays so very special. Just having the same food every year and doing some of the same activities binds you together with your family in a way that everyday living just doesn’t do.