Consider Traditions

Actually many traditions are worthwhile. Sure there a few that are silly or hold a lesser rank, and a few are plain foolish (especially the "First Annual Traditional Anything"). There is also a lot of energy spent trashing anything that sounds traditional, especially if the tradition has not been adopted or understood by the younger or newer folk. These situations we will not consider here.

Traditions which are meaningful, however, are useful in providing timely reminders of heroic causes, important national, community or family values, or of keeping a continuity of knowledge, methodology, institutional memory, or inspiration going forward as a legacy to an oncoming generation. These are the traditions we hold dear, and about which this modest blog will focus.

Memorial Day is for me a dual tradition. Each year I am more emotionally touched and appreciative of the sacrifices made for me (and all other living Americans) by the soldiers of past and present wars for the cause of freedom. All year long I quickly form tears at the sound of the national anthem or at seeing a flag proudly waving in a prominent place or before any crowd which pauses to notice it. I even get that feeling watching my own new flag grandly flying over the garage door (previous flags having all worn out). One of my most treasured possessions - and I actually have very few heirlooms from my four grandparents - is Grandma Gail Martin's American flag. It is too precious to display, but I take it out now and them just to touch and caress. The point is, for me Memorial day is a major Flag Day. Memorial Day may be my favorite holiday, and I am glad that in this era of belittling the meaning of so many historic national touchstones including the truth of our being originally a "Nation Under God" based on Christian principles, this day remains important to almost everyone. Besides, a lot of other holidays have lost their jazz, because they have been pre-empted by commercialism. Not so Memorial Day. It is still appropriate to remember memorial sacrifices and deeds on this special day,and I do.

The other reason Memorial Day is important to me as a tradition is that my chosen congregation has held a picnic on that Monday for as long as I have been in this area, now nearly nineteen years. Actually, church folk have been holding that special picnic in the same central shelter of the same park for at least forty years, and maybe longer. That makes it a tradition of two or three generations. Neat, Huh? There is always a miracle of pot-luck foods for the mid-day meal, and hosts of desserts, fruits, treats, beverages, and now and then a clown or other entertainment. There are always multiple relationships to enjoy and encourage and renew. Much more that picnic food is exchanged.

This year was especially nice as the sister congregation from the northwest side of town joined us and there being no planned programs or conflicting children's games, and because someone writing this blog did not take several pairs of horseshoes as usual, there was a lot of time to sit and visit and remember and share and consider and reflect and listen to stories and meditate on lives being lived and plans being made for the future. Picnickers of the past were recalled in memory, new children, and older children were matched to families - there is great promise in the upcoming generation - babies admired, seniors honored, young lovers identified, new relationships acknowledged, occasional and rarely seen friends found and recent experiences compared, guests welcomed, prayers prayed, walks taken, nature admired, the weather discussed (both at picnics over the decades and about the current day being appreciated as it steadily improved and the air warmed) chairs were circled, Bible discussed, and games enjoyed... It was a wonderful picnic, and perhaps a hundred and fifty christians and friends were refreshed, fed, feted, fantastically fellowshipped. (Sorry about that festive fun with "f"s, fine friends!)

It is important to look forward to the time and continuation of good traditions. Plan now to be a part of Picnic 2007 on Memorial Day next year. Come and be my guest; you'll feel right at home with this church family.