Traditions help build families

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Thomas Summers
  • 741st Missile Squadron commander
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) --  Everyone values his or her family. Out of our sense of family and patriotic duty, many active-duty members, Guardsman, Reservists and civilians serve the military with their immediate families standing by their side each step of the way. Most left their familiar hometowns and asked their families to accompany them or stay behind as those in uniform serve our country.

Although we come from many diverse backgrounds, cultures and traditions, we share a common spirit of patriotism, confidence and purpose on one team, in one force and as one Air Force family. Right now, some may feel a sense of sorrow or distress because they can't go home for the holidays due to mission requirements.

Don't despair. You're not alone. One positive way to help manage sadness and stress during the holiday season and build healthy families is by practicing time-honored family and Air Force traditions or by establishing new ones.

Traditions help us stay close to family and friends and show how much we care about those around us, especially during the holidays. Without the normal daily distractions, holiday rituals and traditions ensure we do the things we value with the people we love. For example, many families enjoy making and then eating favorite treats, special dishes or ethnic foods for Thanksgiving. In addition, we keep in touch and stay current through phone calls, family newsletters, e-mails and photographs. Also, we show our care and love for each other with gifts, preparations and spontaneous displays of emotion.

By practicing our favorite traditions, we feel more relaxed and comfortable enough to openly express our heartfelt appreciation for one another. When we talk longingly about our dad's reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', our mother's delicious homemade turkey dinner or remembering the year we finally "graduated" from sitting at the kids' table to eating with the adults, it is the emotions and good feelings connected to those experiences we really miss.

Traditions also help us build a family identity. In our immediate and Air Force families, our traditions help us establish how we communicate, how we make decisions and solve problems as well as how we celebrate holidays, milestones and other events. Our traditions say, "This is how we do things in this family. This is how we decorate our Christmas tree. This is how we practice our spiritual beliefs. This is how we take care of our Airmen. This is who we are."

The older members of our family and Air Force bring patience, wisdom and colorful stories while the younger members bring youthful wonder, energy and excitement as together we bridge generations and enrich each others' lives.

Furthermore, traditions help provide us settings to teach family values. Just as the Air Force teaches the core values of integrity, service and excellence, other family traditions help teach family values through repetition. Since we learn powerful lessons from the activities we repeat year after year, many rituals and traditions foster a tranquil and cheerful atmosphere where learning is likely to flourish. Over time, our family and Air Force values become a part of who we are.

Traditions promote healthy family growth and give us many wonderful reasons to celebrate life together. No matter where this holiday season finds you, observing past or crafting new traditions are fantastic ways of building strong, caring and happy families.