Tradition

Isn't the basic meaning of tradition, things that reoccur at the same times, places, with the same people, etc.? I never though of myself as a big traditionalist, but as soon as things started to change I found myself getting upset. I liked always having every Holiday meal and celebration at my grandma's every year of my childhood. Things have changed since my dad has gotten remarried.

Now, we have Thanksgiving at my house every year, which is okay with me now but wasn't okay at first. My step-mom completely took over, I felt. She made all different kinds of food that WAS NOT my grandmother's recipe. I resented her for it. I realize now I was immature, that was almost 10 years ago. I have grown completely accustomed to having Thanksgiving at my house. My step-mom even asks my grandma to make the things of hers that she knows I love the most.

While Thanksgiving is now under control and is a great new tradition, Christmas is now getting a makeover too. I am completely against my parents new idea of the tradition they want for Christmas and its causing a lot of fighting in the family. We have a house in Taos, New Mexico and my parents want to go there for Christmas every year. The only problem is...my grandparents will not be there! What is Christmas without my grandparents? I realize people get married and new traditions begin but couldn't they wait to change their Christmas traditions until I'm older and have my own family? I feel that my dad, my step-mom, and my two little brothers are starting all of these traditions and I am left out. They are including my, of course, but I do not want to participate. No one has ever once asked me how I feel about all of these changed. Sometimes I think maybe I am being selfish, but no, they are being selfish. I want the entire family together and they want to run away to New Mexico for the Holidays. Not fair.