“A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn’t easy. You may ask, why do we stay up here if its so dangerous? We stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in a word – tradition!
Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything – how to eat, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always have to keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I’ll tell you – I don’t know! But, it’s a tradition. Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do.” (great musicals for the American Theater, ed/ Stanly Richards, vol. 1 Radnor Penn: Chilton Bk Co 1973 p. 393)
And speaking of recognizing traditions, we don’t want to be like the woman who
said, “traditions? I don’t think we have any. We just do the same old thing
year after year!”
said, “traditions? I don’t think we have any. We just do the same old thing
year after year!”
This is not only for newlyweds!
A great source for studying family traditions is a book entitled
"Strengthening Our Families - An In-depth Look at the Proclamation
on the Family" edited by David C. Dollahite (School of Family Life BYU 2000)
One month our family (along with some others)
studied "Light and Truth" for a month. At the end of the
month in order to "finalize" and create an adventurous experience
where-in the children could feel the spirit, we hiked Timpanogos Cave.
and When we hiked down into the cave amidst stalactites
and stalagmites - when the lights were turned off, we
talked to our families about what being in the dark felt like, and let them share feelings.
We discussed light and darkness, and how the light of the spirit makes us feel,
and how to keep the Holy Ghost with us. So effective - we weill never forget this experience.
Click HERE for more ideas on family topical
gospel study and activities
Each year before the children start school - from
Pre-School to College (and even for children in graduate
programs if they so desire), Scott offers to give them a
priesthood blessing to help them begin the new adventure.
One fun tradition for newly called missionaries is to have a
party and invite any missionaries who served in the mission
to which the new missionary has been called come to share
information and inspiration. Also, we have asked the
missionary if he or she would like us all to write our name by
a scripture that means a lot to us in his or her set of scriptures.
This way the missionary will be reminded of our love and
support anytime that scripture is read
and studied while they are serving
(and foreverafter for that matter!)
For graduations, we give a nice gift, and try to have our own
"commencement" at home to applaud
and congratulate the graduate. The graduates
also have a chance to be valedictorian and give a
speech to us!
YW, Duty to God, and Scout awards are a big deal...
deserving of a party to celebrate!
This is the mom speaking...I ask you, can a
college student going away to school leave home without a
homemade quilt to carry love from home
with him or her? Not at our house!
I (Angelle) grew up with "brown bag" birthdays where
all the gifts were in brown paper bags and the
person giving the gift hit us on the head with
the bag before we could open it.
"Heavy heavy hang over thy poor head -
what do you with this person with a bump on the head!"
We continue that tradition (which probably got started because
my parents were short on funds as they raised their children in
the early years, and couldn't afford nice wrapping paper. ha! ha!
Another tradition we have is to say some wonderful things
about the birthday person (and tell hem that we love them)
while he or she opens the gift from each of us. One of our sons
used to say "I love this person because I am genetically
obligated to!" haha...
We tried to teach the kids that we love no matter what, and
we appreciate and love some things they do and are also.
January 1st (or there about) we have an "Awards Banquet"
and give awards to family members for
ways they grew in the last year.
For a meaningful Christmas tradition idea
- a Gift to the Savior - click HERE
Thank goodness most of our neighbors join in the fun!
recreation click HERE
projects to do, click HERE
