I love the smell of bacon. In part, because it's so darn tasty (though I'm not sure how I feel about Bacon Lip Balm). But also, because it takes me back to the Saturday mornings of my childhood. Pancake breakfasts, with a pound of bacon. (In his Odes to Common Things, Pablo Neruda really should have written an "Ode to Bacon.")
Man, I'm hungry.
I recently read a thought-provoking article entitled, The Importance of Family Rituals. I have a strong desire to establish some family rituals, to create a time and space in our family that says, "Family comes first," before all else. Years ago, my parents did this; I just didn't realize the value of it at the time.
Pancake breakfasts gathered us together around a shared meal. We joked, teased, shared the comics, and filled our bellies until all we could do was roll ourselves in front of the TV to watch the Saturday morning cartoon marathon. This ritual was nourishment for our bodies and souls, and it all happened in our pajamas. Does it get any better than that?
What I've learned: It isn't about the ritual, per se (although you can't go wrong with one that is bacon-centered). It's about standing firm as a family and of nurturing the bonds with those you love the most.
Please comment below with your favorite family rituals. I might have to steal a few!
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7 comments:
Those Sunday mornings were the bestest! My mouth is watering at the thought of crispy bacon.
We don't really have any set family rituals. I may potentially swipe some as well :)
Childhood family ritual: Friday pizza video night. We always got a u-bake pizza from Papa Murphy's and rented a movie. Then the four of us cuddled on the couch, ate pizza, and watched a move. We rarely missed a night from the time I was 6 or 7, all the way until my sophomore year in high school!
The one that sticks out to me the most is also extremely unhealthy! I remember Friday nights were grocery shopping night. So I'd go with my parents to get groceries and we would always, always go to McDonalds before shopping. I took it for granted then and appreciate it now!
I don't think our parents years ago actually made a point of creating family rituals, it just came naturally. At least in my family it was. We always ate dinner together, not because it was good for us as a family but that was just the way our family was. I always made it a point for my family to have dinner together too, when I grew up. It's nice to pass family rituals that you enjoyed down to your own family. I think it helps children feel more secure when they can count on a few things in live being consistant.
DeAnna
We eat dinner together, usually home-cooked (though not exactly gourmet:). Every day. On a rare occasion, one of us has to be away. We also have Friday Night Movie Night with popcorn and M&Ms. It's not profound, but it is fairly consistent.
Sunday morning pancakes are our ritual too! But we are adding "sustainable" rituals gradually too. We now have an annual ritual of preparing the garden in the spring for tomatoes and lettuce in the summer. I've converted the household to green-cleaning and my kids are old enough to do their own cleaning chores. I'm comforted to know that "making" them clean the bathroom is no longer "making" them ill with unknown long-term side effects!
We also have a Saturday morning pancake and bacon ritual!
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