I said I was going to have my cards out by the first week of December, at least. And has that happened?

No.

I don’t even have the little half-letter written yet! The one I’m inserting in lieu of the photo for which Daniel will not cooperate.

That’s it: no TV for me until they’re squared away. Except maybe Everwood, because that show gets me all warm and fuzzy and in the mood.

Today I went to my moms to engage in an annual holiday tradition. Normally this wasn’t such a big deal, the whole tradition thing. But with changing times, families growing, and my parents aging, I’ve begun to really treasure this tradition. It’s the one thing that hasn’t changed in the way we celebrate/prepare to celebrate Christmas.

My mom and I baked Melting Moments today. (I tried finding a link to the exact kind we make, but have been unable to find one. The recipe we use is from my mom’s “Aunt” Mabel.) I don’t remember EVER having a Christmas without Melting Moments. I remember my paternal Grandma making them. (Which is kind of ironic. As I was telling my mom today, I always thought this recipe came from my mom’s side of the family. We learn something new everyday.) I remember helping my Grandma make them. As my Grandma became unable to travel, my mom and I continued to tradition of making them.

The baking of Melting Moments can/should require patience and perfectionism. You have to roll the dough into marble-sized balls, and it’s best if they are all of about the same size. My mom is not so good at this. That’s why she says she recruits me. She says I’m great at quality control and have the patience to roll them; and she’s right. I actually enjoy spending the time with my mom, making the cookies. Thus, I don’t care if it takes a long time to make them. (And I love the smaller ones; they’re much easier to eat!)

I began thinking today of how I love this tradition, how I love what it embodies to me: family, love, togetherness, and giving. I began thinking of how I want to continue this tradition. Having my mom and I make cookies together, eventually including my kids into it, then having it be something I do with my kids, and eventually do with my grandchildren. I hope that the generations to follow see that this isn’t about the cookie, it’s about family, love that has passed down through time, and a chance to enjoy one another. It would melt my heart to see that happen.

What family tradition would you like to see continue even after your time?