Tag: traditions

Sharing Cookies & Legacy

My son bought me a gingerbread man. While that may not seem like a big deal to you, for me it represents a generous role-reversal. For close to 20 years, my family joined my mom and nephew for one summer week along the Monterey Bay in what we called our “Cation House.” Because Mom and … Continue reading Sharing Cookies & Legacy

Family Traditions: Breakfast of Champions

Have you ever surprised yourself with a family tradition you didn’t recognize as such until you discovered yourself in the middle of it for the bazillionth time? Last weekend we got away for a few days in Tahoe. We like to stay in places that have a kitchen so we can prepare at least a … Continue reading Family Traditions: Breakfast of Champions

From Letters with Candy: An Excerpt

Several years ago on a trip to DC I had the privilege of reconnecting with a childhood friend. We talked for hours, and he was even funnier than I remembered. In so many ways, our stories are the same: we grew up in the same neighborhoods, walked the same school hallways, we shared friends and teachers; we … Continue reading From Letters with Candy: An Excerpt

Happy Leap Day!

For most of us, today probably feels like an ordinary Monday. I'm doing my normal Monday routine - working from home, an extra load of laundry spinning as I type. But this Monday is a once-every-four-years event and for some reason this year I feel a particular urge to celebrate. Probably because Leap Day only arrives … Continue reading Happy Leap Day!

Rituals: Cation House

Writ large on the walls of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pablo Neruda’s words strike a chord in my soul: “I spin on the circle of wave upon wave of the sea.” My life has felt like constant spinning, waves of joy and laughter, wash of chaos and drama, waves of peaceful beauty. My parents’ lives … Continue reading Rituals: Cation House

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The leprechauns stopped by to lead the boys on their annual treasure hunt. Our leprechauns don't come in the wee hours, and we have never tried to trap them. Their only mischief is to create silly clues that have the kids running from side-to-side of the house, laughing all the way. We started this tradition … Continue reading Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Hope of the World

Have you felt it, too, that rapid, sometimes painful limping toward this day? It's Christmas Eve. In my world that means Christmas has arrived. Traditionally, today we rest and enjoy togetherness. We make pine cone-peanut butter-birdseed ornaments; we take them to the local reservoir, where we walk the dogs, the kids, ourselves, for an hour, … Continue reading Hope of the World