Quirky Traditions

Most families have traditions, or at least some remnant of past practices. In this “high speed” day and age it's tough to keep them going but for the most part we have had encouraging success. Some of them started with our grandparents with a few twists and turns thrown in by our parents and now it has become our turn to carry on and carry through with a few new ones.

At first it was embarrassing for the kids, especially when they were in their “cool” stage. You know that time in your life when every single thing that a parent does is scrutinized, pouted about, or completely ignored? I distinctly remember my kids rolling their eyes and making statements like “you aren't going to wear that are you?” or “I can't believe you just said that.”

Then there were the times I overheard them talking to their friends on the phone about how stupid, mean or crazy we were. Worse yet was finding a note in their pocket outlining (in some crude fashion) the pros and cons of a decision we made that was outright ridiculous in terms of their best interests. How on earth can a parent know what's best for their child anyway? After all, we have all been “out of the loop” for too long and our social and emotional reflects are just too darn slow.

For the past 8 or 10 years we have been partaking in something every single year at the same time and place “for posterity.” Actually, it started out as a fluke about 15 or 20 years ago when one of us said “hey, let's try that...should be a hoot!”... and it was. We were down at the fair one night and impulsively dressed up in some western costumes for picture in the “saloon.” We all poked through the costumes and posed for what was the first of many unprofessional family pictures.

We've had plenty of family pictures taken through the years but only during times when we were already dressed up for a wedding or anniversary. After all, one must take advantage of the times in their lives when everyone looks nice, feels good and smiles are not forced. We have tried to pull off a few during the holidays but as the family grows it's nearly impossible to get everyone together in one place and time long enough.

For nearly a decade now we have gathered on the Midway for our annual Free Fair Photo. It usually goes something like this:

My siblings and I squeeze into a small space and we all try to look youthful, thinner and happy. Someone usually doesn't like the first angle, sometimes the second. We move around as if we were in a posh studio and the photographer actually has the time and the inclination to make us look good. When we first started, it often took a dozen poses to get everyone to agree, but we have finally accepted the fact that you really can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Besides, we're all too tired and sweaty to keep moving around and delay our bedtimes.

Then there is the ordering and payment process. Despite the fact that we know we are going to do it every single year, no one ever has close to the right change. Usually the Patriarch of the family hands over enough for at least half of the group cost (unless his wife is paying attention) and we all split the rest. When all is said and done we all owe someone something but no one is real clear on how much and who we pay.

Our kids still laugh about how tacky we are but chances are that some day they will appreciate this quirky tradition. When we're gone they will not only have great memories of us but coffee cups, towels, pins, coasters and mouse pads that will come in pretty handy during family gatherings. It's tough to point out fluky genetics without putting a face to the name.

- Karen Balice-Gregory