We have a few, particularly my Mom’s family. There’s the 4h of July picnic, of course, and the family reunion every even numbered year (except this one). There is the tradition of military service. Her family has given sons and daughters to every war in the history of the US.
September 1959 I'm the one not standing on the far left.
Most of you know that my definition of Family is shaky right now. Since the first of the year I have found both birth families, and gained 8 siblings. The only ones I’ve known long enough to know any traditions are the ones I grew up with. Not that I would ever want to diminish those.
I want to present the family tradition of Love. When I was growing up you didn’t waste any time when you needed love and comfort looking for your mother. Any Aunt you could find would do just fine-and if you need correction any aunt or uncle could and would fill the role. There was none of that ‘wait until your mother finds out about this.’ Love and ass chewing walked hand in hand and nobody had to wait.
I wanna see all my mama's sisters, 'cause that's where all the love starts
I miss 'em all like crazy, bless their little hearts
John Prine When I Get To Heaven 2018 Tree of Forgiveness
It’s not a new tradition, Love. You see, it wasn’t just my aunts and uncles it also included my Mom’s aunts and uncles. My Grandparents and their brothers and sisters ALL were involved. Even my great grandmother got in the act. It’s a mixed up bundle of love to be very sure. I’m telling you at a big family gathering it was just plain hard to tell the players without a scorecard! It didn’t make any difference, not one iota. Cousin? Aunt? Something else? Doesn’t matter.
Are you wondering why I find family love worth celebrating? My siblings and I were adopted at birth and there was never a difference. Even when my feelings were hurt from being caught at something I knew that it was all the same for me and my cousins. I probably can’t explain how important that can be. It just is.
And there's a backwards old town that's often remembered
So many times that my memories are worn.
John Prine Paradise 1971 John Prine
Davenport, Washington. It’s where Grandpa and Grandma’s Big House was and many of those faded memories are entwined with the Big House. When I was a kid it included a whole city block and a deliciously full barn. The property was studded with Pine and Fir trees and just about the perfect place for a kid.
Later, maybe when I was 8 or 10 my Grandfather donated half his property to the Lutheran Church. They weren’t Lutherans, but the church was looking to build in a few years and the donation came with a condition: That they put the lawn in first and that his family could use it. It was like having a park next door! We played softball (we had standing teams) and football and tag and any other game that involved crazy kids and running..
My mom and one brother's last family reunion. I'm center left.
They are almost all gone now. My mom’s original family. Only my aunt Tootie survives. I talked to her for quite a while on my birthday. You see, she’s the only trace of that enormous love that is left to me. I’ve shared my finding of my birth families with her and she is as excited for me as my mother or any other member of that family would be.
She told me last week “I often wondered if your birth mother and father had any idea what they were missing by not knowing you?”
There’s more, but you are going to have to just trust me. I’ve got tears running and I’m all done. They are tears of joy and love. It’s traditional.
This was written in response to a challenge/contest hosted by sult n papper . The contest is open to all comers and the rules are incredibly simple. You can get all the details here. I encourage you all to write a post about your family traditions and drop the link in the comments section to enter. Sult is one of the good guys around here.
About the quoted music: The world lost a giant singer/songwriter to Covid 19 this spring when John Prine left the house. “Paradise” was on his first album (and among the first songs he wrote) and “When I Get To Heaven” was on his last album. Almost 50 years apart.
