CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“God is an infinite circle whose center is everywhere and whose

circumference is nowhere.”

-- Augustine of Hippo

I love traditions, keeping them, and occasionally adding new ones.

Traditions are threads that tie the past to the present with shared

memories and stories. Knowing that we are doing something the same as

special people in the past helps us stay connected to them. Life is so

full of change, it’s comforting to do some things the same way.

Traditions are great, especially when they involve family, friends,

food and fun. I enjoy hearing what experiences others have chosen to do

the same way year after year. Some backpack, hike or fish at the same

spot every year. Some head for the beach, while others prefer mountains.

The location and experiences certainly don’t have to be costly, but the

richness of sharing them is priceless.

I’ve noticed that most everybody’s traditions involve enjoying the

outdoors in some manner. Looking up at the stars, or up at mountains or

out to sea certainly helps me take my eyes off of minor details of the

day and onto what matters most. I can’t look at God’s creation without

thinking about God and how awesome he is. I’ve also noticed that an

important part of traditions is the shared meals. Meals are the perfect

backdropfor stories of the past to be told, reenacted or occasionally

improved upon. It doesn’t seem to matter if we are barbecuing hot dogs

and marshmallows or something more gourmet, the best part is dining on

the same memories. My family generally always starts meals by saying

grace. When we thank God for his many blessings, the food and

conversation are always more satisfying.

My relatives on both sides have always loved the water, being in it,

on it or near it. My husband and I have that same love, and our daughters

are certainly carrying the same water gene as well. While snorkeling

recently I realized that God’s creativity is as evident under the water

as above it.

One wonderful tradition while growing up was going to Catalina. My

mother did so with her parents, my grandparents took my parents and my

generation, and my family and I had the privilege of joining my parents

on a recent trip there. Besides the beauty of the place, the highlight

was sharing it together, and hearing the stories of the past.

I saw a friend after our trip. “How was Catalina?” she asked. “It was

great,” I answered. “I loved everything about it. I especially loved that

it was wonderfully the same. Sure some things have changed, but I enjoyed

the same beautiful ocean and scenery that generations in the past have,

and gazed at the same stars they did. We also told many of the same

stories, while also adding new memories of our own.”

I love traditions, and the feeling of comfort and being connected to

the past that comes with them. But I know that even traditions change

over time. I know that change is a part of life. That’s why my best

comfort comes from being connected to God, because God doesn’t change. He

never has, and he never will.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.