I decided to drive Carter, my youngest, to the bus stop instead of walking.
It threw off our morning routine.
We parked facing the bus route so we could see when it arrived.
When the bus finally came, we hugged and he awkwardly left the car, looking back about 6 times before finally getting on.
When I'm standing there normally, I wave and then blow 3 kisses and he does the same. Today I did it from the car and it wasn't the same. It made things...different.
Silly to notice something like this, but it was a small change that I think the both of us felt.
This week, and especially this time of year, we really pay attention to routines and traditions.
What is the difference?
Routines to me are the normal everyday things that bring parents and kids structure and comfort.
Traditions are the things we look back on that shape our childhood and encourage us to form as we get older.
I've always had a love/hate relationship with traditions, because they are always changing. Grandma dies and all of a sudden everyone is too busy to keep getting together..
So, people find comfort in their own family bubble, and pretty soon, you don't see most of these people unless someone gets married or more likely, passes away.
And the conversations are always the same.
"We should get together."
And then life happens, and it becomes too difficult to try, so we lather, rinse, and repeat our lack of traditions while trying to form new ones.
Sometimes it works out well.
Sometimes we're in a new relationship, with new people, and new food, and new destinations!!
And yet sometimes, someone is no longer here, and the house is quiet, and we are forced to live life with our thoughts instead of our actions.
Here's what I want you to do.
Constantly develop new routines and traditions.
Routines make the day better. They give you a gauge if you're doing it right. They make you feel better.
Commit to waking up at a certain time, eating or doing something healthy, texting or calling one person a day to check up on them..
Traditions come and go, but never stop trying to form them. Your kids will thank you.
And you'll thank yourself.
Volunteer..do something for someone else. Don't wallow in what's missing, search for what could be.
Text the family group chat and ask for their favorite memories from the year. You'll find that it's not just about vacations, but also who they spent time with.
Get everyone together face to face and discuss the results. What does everyone want more or less of? Follow through and make it happen!
All my best for a great week and for a blessed Thanksgiving filled with new and old traditions.
And all my best as you figure out life and the relationships in it.
XOXO Glenn