Creating traditions

I have many traditions that I honor even though I am more secular Jew than not – I light the menorah every night of Hanukkah, I eat matzo during Passover, I fast for Yom Kippur, and eat honey and apples on Rosh Hashanah.

I have given up needing turkey on Thanksgiving and pretty much the need to cook most of the meal. I just like to gather with loved ones and feast.

For my mother’s birthday, I get all dolled up like my mom and go to dinner.

New Year’s Eve has come to mean home on the bayou – watching my neighbor light fireworks and being close to bed rather than out in the hoopla.

Jazz Fest – every day with the brass pass.

Mardi Gras – Jan 6th first king cake, Krewe de Vieux, Muses, and Fat Tuesday are all a must.

But Christmas is a puzzle – I was thinking we would volunteer but then thought about my attempts in the past to do so on Christmas where volunteers are stumbling over each other. I then wondered why I felt obligated to do something charitable on a holiday that I don’t even believe in. Tonight I was wondering aloud about what tradition to institute because of Tin. And then I thought we’ll just see what sort of tradition occurs organically rather than force one on us. There was something in my childhood that was nice about being out of step with what most other people were doing. Sort of like walking down the street when a Saints game is on in New Orleans and hearing the cheers, and never watching a game. You feel happy it is happening, and content to not participate.