One of the best things about my expanded family is that when new members join due to friendship or family, new traditions happen. Robert added the tradition of listening to the Lessons and Carols on Christmas eve. Bianca and her Mexican heritage offers up so many wonderful colorful foods and traditions important to her, and now important to us all. I remember sitting with her and her mother and siblings as they contemplated the end of her beloved dog Chuy’s life. Dan has introduced us all, once again, to the magic of space and our quest to visit parts unknown, as I’m not sure he’s missed a rocket launch so closeby to Orlando. He enthusiastically announces “come out to the front of the house…maybe we an see the shot!” And Anne has created the lovely tradition of attending The Nutcracker during the holidays, even when Logan was too young to sit still, but now he speaks of it like the holidays wouldn’t be the same without it. If I was to document all the wonderful new tranditions and moments that have been added to my life with new friends and family members, this post would be pages long.

But I do want to remember and document one new tradition that MaryAnn’s family observes that I took to Austin during Matthew’s birthday celebration recently. We were all enjoying cake, after singing (my favorite song as a child 🙂 ) Happy Birthday, when I suggested that we all go around the table and say what we appreciate most about Matthew, the birthday boy. This is a tradition that happens at every birthday celebration in the Dana household. As we went around the table, we got to Parker, who shared the most amazing appreciation. She remembered how Matthew visited her earlier in her life in her school during naptime and would rescue her from her nap and just the 2 of them would go to a movie or share time together. It was an emotional moment for Parker, and thus, emotional for all of us.

But I dare say that this moment and knowledge of a wonderful father/daughter time would not have been uncovered if we hadn’t shared this awesome tradition…this tradition that created a precious moment in time.