When I was young, my family had few traditions outside the holiday season. Every Christmas Eve, our dad would read us The Night Before Christmas, and we’d put on our Christmas pajamas. However, beyond the holidays, there weren’t many traditions we kept. Whenever we did honor our few traditions, like on Christmas, they created lasting memories. Even as an adult, I think back to the times we were all together, sharing our traditions. They serve as a reminder of where I came from, and of what shaped who I am today.

I often relied on my family because we frequently moved. While that may have made it difficult to maintain good habits or lasting hobbies, I knew my family had my back. Ideally, I would like to create my own tradition that checks all those boxes, and recently, my mother started something I would like to rework into a tradition for my family.

My mother has encouraged all of us to go on a walk around the neighborhood after dinner. Her intent was to promote digestion, jokingly calling it a “Fart Walk,” but it has gotten me off my phone, given me more time to talk to my family, and pushed me to start working out. I would like to continue this tradition so I can share these experiences with them. I’m sure referring to it as a “Fart Walk” will grasp their attention. Even if it just seems funny to them, I could share stories and listen to theirs. This may not mean much yet, but I hope that, down the line, it will to my children and their families.

– MB

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant