Island Senior: Family Traditions Old and New
Posted December 15, 2018 at 4:22 pm by Peggy Sue McRae
Belle Mullis, Christmas at Home – photo McRae/Mullis family
Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…
Family traditions are something we value especially at the holidays. I’ve been thinking about how family traditions evolve and change over time. Three of my four sisters will be visiting me next week for a Pre-Christmas gift exchange party.
Talking over the menu, one thing we will carry on as a family tradition is Chex Party Mix. I bought a small ready-made bag of it at the store today. It was disappointingly unlike what my Mom used to make. It seemed to need butter, pretzels, and Worcestershire Sauce. Some traditions are sacred.
One Christmas when my Mom, Flossie Mullis, was young and her sister Ina and brother Don were both attending the University of Washington, Ina and Don came home to Friday Harbor for Christmas with a big surprise for their Mom and Dad, a radio. The family gathered around and tuned into a holiday concert broadcast all the way from New York City! For us, growing up in the age of television, musical programs often played a part in our family holidays.
Our family celebrated on Christmas Eve. I barely remember the reason for this although I was partially responsible. One Christmas when I was very, very, young my big sister and I got up in the middle of the night and opened everyone’s gifts! That was enough for our Mom. We were a Christmas Eve family from then on.
The big change came when we lost our Dad, Jim McRae. Holidays can be tough when a family member is missing. My sisters and I were just on the cusp of adulthood when that happened and before long my married sisters were spending more time with their new families. That is when I began to enjoy the pleasures of becoming an Auntie.
Whether you are upholding time honored traditions, retiring ones you have outgrown, or starting something new, enjoy the holiday season and have a safe, cozy, and very merry Christmas!
You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.
Categories: Around Here, Island Senior, People
2 comments:
2 comments...
Miss you Peggy sue!
I loved reading your story! Reminded me of my own childhood and the traditions of long, long ago!! Can’t help remembering those times today, at this time of year.. They still bring a smile to my face a warm glow in my heart!!!
By submitting a comment you grant the San Juan Update a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate, irrelevant and contentious comments may not be published at an admin's discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.