Keeping the Traditions Rolling

We have a spread out extended family so in an attempt to keep everyone connected somewhat, my dad would put together a family calendar each year and mail it out to everyone. He would collect all the photos and double-check all important dates (birthdays, anniversaries). It was something that we all looked forward to each December. This year, my dad had started on the calendar but hadn't gotten very far yet. Our family came together to finish it. My brother collected to photos, I designed the calendar and my mom printed it and sent it out. It didn't get out until April (mostly my fault) but it still got out. We felt like we were living up to what my dad would have done. It was a nice feeling.

If your deceased loved one had any type of tradition at all, I would recommend doing something to honor that each year. Instead of focusing on the passing, it focuses on the great things in his/her life.

Another example is that after a specific church meeting each year my dad would take my mom and me out to ice cream. My mom happened to be visiting my husband and me this year at that time and so we all went out to ice cream.

My dad loved to play cards on Sundays, however he wouldn't play with traditional playing cards but used Rook cards instead. His absolute favorite game was Hearts (then Phase 10). Playing these games with my siblings when we get together provides a great opportunity to talk and reminisce about my dad in a fun way, remembering him and his eccentricities without getting sad. We haven't done this yet, but I plan on doing it when we do get together in a few months. Even when I play these games with people outside of my family, it gives me a chance to think about how much fun I had with my dad learning new card games and mastering the favorites.