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Traditions
by Jennifer Shike, NSR Director of Junior Activities
Traditions are hard to recognize when you are a kid. Traditions are even harder to appreciate when you are a teenager. When you are a college student, traditions are pushed aside. And then all of a sudden, something happens. You realize that those traditions aren’t so bad after all.
This has been a nostalgic summer for me. I’ve been on the road to many new places to attend shows, conferences, seminars, interviews and fairs. However, as I look back on all of the new things that I have experienced, I see how my most treasured memories are the old things – the traditions – that I’ve continued this summer.
As I write this, I’m sitting in my hotel room with tired feet and aching legs after taking photos at the Iowa State Fair. I’ve taken pictures of pigs before, but two days of this stuff has made me appreciate Steve Mapes more than ever before. Even though my body is exhausted and my husband is hours away, I have this excited feeling in my stomach because I’m going to the state fair tomorrow…with my parents and my sisters.
I feel like I’m 8 again. I can’t wait for tomorrow to arrive. It’s not that the state fair hasn’t been fun the past two days on my own, but it’s not tradition. And that is what I’ve come to understand makes my state fair experience so meaningful. The state fair is about doing those same things that I’ve always done with my family year after year. The older I get, the more I realize that those traditions may change someday so I can create traditions for my own children. But, until then I’m going to appreciate the traditions of my parents more than ever before because I know those traditions are more than just good memories. They are a part of who I am.
When I go to the state fair tomorrow, I will treasure the memories of blue ribbons, sweaty palms, cowgirl queen salutes and tears. Why? Because the blue ribbons gave me confidence in my ability to set goals, work toward them and then see the results of my efforts. The sweaty palms were a sign of nervous anticipation that I experienced before I entered the showring. They were just one sign of the passion I had for the showring. The cowgirl queen salutes revealed the dreamer in me and reminded me that it’s never too late to let go, ride fast and have fun while chasing after your dreams regardless if you catch them. The tears made me real. It’s not easy to say goodbye to your pigs after working with them all year.
When the shows were over and the animals were fed and cared for, my parents always believed in showing us the other aspects of the Iowa State Fair. We toured the 4-H Exhibit Building and the Cultural Center . We walked to the Pioneer Hall and watched people whittle, yodel and dance. We sampled honey sticks in the Agricultural Building , and ate ice cream cones while watching the cows be milked at the dairy parlor. When we finished our tour of the fairgrounds and checked on our animals one last time, I can tell you one thing. I felt loved by my family.
Today I wouldn’t trade those traditions for anything. But I also know that those traditions are special because my family was involved. What traditions are you creating for your families? If you are a parent, never underestimate the power of tradition in your child’s life. In our fast-paced world, traditions bring added stability. Traditions are something that you and your kids can count on and look forward to experiencing together. If you are a kid, respect and enjoy the opportunities you have to experience “tradition” with your family. You may not understand these traditions at first, but I guarantee that you will appreciate them when you are older. Life goes by quickly. We need to make the most of the time that we have with our families.
Before I leave the fair this week, we’ll board the boat ride at the ‘Ol Mill. I will enjoy the opportunity to sit in the dark boat with my sisters by my side. I will savor the laughter of my mom as my dad tries to rock the boat and splash water at his girls. I will remember the fear I felt the first time I boarded this scary boat and entered the dark tunnels. Even though I’m older now and know the ride will come to an end, I’ll hold on and pretend for just a minute that this moment will last forever with my family.
Traditions? You can’t beat ‘em.
