By Emily
Traditions keep us firmly grounded in what we know. However, even more important than that, they make us who we are.
Growing up, summer holidays were always spent at my grandparents' house with my grandfather manning the grill. Family was very important to him and he looked for any excuse to bring us all together. My cousins and I would race around the yard playing hide-and-seek or cool off with a dip in the creek nearby. The women would gather in the kitchen to discuss who was getting married, who had died or was having a baby. I loved those days. They made me feel so secure and loved, not just by my parents, but by my extended family as well.
My grandparents passed away several years ago, and sadly, so did the tradition. I miss it more than I can explain. We try to get together when we can, but with several of us scattered around the states, myself included, it's rare.
With summer just around the corner, I'm hoping we can dust off our old family traditions and put them back in use again.
What do you miss from "days gone by"?