Traditions
"Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are the ones we can't even describe, aren't even aware of." -Ellen Goodman
Some people have lots of traditions, some do not. Some have all kinds of family traditions, some only have those traditions revolving around the holidays.
I myself cannot say I have many traditions however, I do have one tradition that brings a smile to my face every year. Thanksgiving with my best friend Esther.
It all started in college when my new friend realized she would not be able to make it home for Thanksgiving. I could hardly leave her there alone in residence missing the good old family scene so instead, I invited her to join my family on my aunt and uncles farm. What a blast that turned out to be as we helped out with the chores, the cooking, and even the dishes as we sang along to Great Big Sea. We enjoyed silly family photos up in big trees, we practiced our archery, and we enjoyed quiet bonfires.
The following year, Esther and her family invited me to join them for their Thanksgiving tradition; camping. Every year, they get together, pick a camping spot, and head out for the weekend. I was very excited to be invited as I find I enjoy camping very much. We went for hikes, tried our hand at geocaching, and made meals over a fire. We did some rock climbing, found some old historical sites, and enjoyed picnics.
Now, years later, Thanksgiving with my best friend remains a highly anticipated yearly tradition. One year with my family, the next year with hers.
It will come as no surprise that I am extremely eager for this coming weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving). Camping gear packed? Check!
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
My family have always been campers. From the moment my fresh-off-the-boat grandpa could afford a tent, he took his wife and kids out into the wilds of Canada. My parents did the same. My dad bought himself a canvas tent (this was before the high tech materials of todays tents) and went with his buddies on canoe trips and photography excursions through the woods. I still have some of his old photos.
When he and my mom started our family, they thought they could handle chilling in a tent with their babies, but it soon became apparent that life would be a lot easier if we had a proper camper. The one my dad and his brothers bought in the 80s is still in use today by our family, passed down to the next generation, just like the camping tradition.
A lot of people seem to think that camping is just setting up a few chairs around a firepit and going stargazing at night, maybe roasting a few hotdogs for dinner. But for me it's so much more. Camping is escapism in its purest form. You're not pretending to be someone else, you're not stuck in an office staring out the window and wishing you were somewhere else. You ARE somewhere else. And you can become someone else. A free version.
It all started in college when my new friend realized she would not be able to make it home for Thanksgiving. I could hardly leave her there alone in residence missing the good old family scene so instead, I invited her to join my family on my aunt and uncles farm. What a blast that turned out to be as we helped out with the chores, the cooking, and even the dishes as we sang along to Great Big Sea. We enjoyed silly family photos up in big trees, we practiced our archery, and we enjoyed quiet bonfires.
The following year, Esther and her family invited me to join them for their Thanksgiving tradition; camping. Every year, they get together, pick a camping spot, and head out for the weekend. I was very excited to be invited as I find I enjoy camping very much. We went for hikes, tried our hand at geocaching, and made meals over a fire. We did some rock climbing, found some old historical sites, and enjoyed picnics.
Now, years later, Thanksgiving with my best friend remains a highly anticipated yearly tradition. One year with my family, the next year with hers.
It will come as no surprise that I am extremely eager for this coming weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving). Camping gear packed? Check!
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
~***~
My family have always been campers. From the moment my fresh-off-the-boat grandpa could afford a tent, he took his wife and kids out into the wilds of Canada. My parents did the same. My dad bought himself a canvas tent (this was before the high tech materials of todays tents) and went with his buddies on canoe trips and photography excursions through the woods. I still have some of his old photos.
When he and my mom started our family, they thought they could handle chilling in a tent with their babies, but it soon became apparent that life would be a lot easier if we had a proper camper. The one my dad and his brothers bought in the 80s is still in use today by our family, passed down to the next generation, just like the camping tradition.
A lot of people seem to think that camping is just setting up a few chairs around a firepit and going stargazing at night, maybe roasting a few hotdogs for dinner. But for me it's so much more. Camping is escapism in its purest form. You're not pretending to be someone else, you're not stuck in an office staring out the window and wishing you were somewhere else. You ARE somewhere else. And you can become someone else. A free version.
Camping happens for me at least three times in the year, once with my friends, much like my dad did, once with my dad's family, and best of all, once with my immediate family...and my best friend. It's always thanksgiving weekend, and it's always required. I don't think my parents have cancelled once in the 8 years since we started this tradition. I can't wait for another long weekend of fires, stars, and freedom!
Miss Esther
To read more from Miss Esther, Click Here
What traditions do you and yours enjoy? Share them with us in the comments below.
Miss Esther
To read more from Miss Esther, Click Here
What traditions do you and yours enjoy? Share them with us in the comments below.
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