Diandra, on Memory. Sling Diaries, Vol VII.
The Sling Diaries, Volume VII. A photo-documentary chronicling the art of baby wearing in the lives of families around the world. Over the course of six months, Sling Diarists will create their own Sling Diary though a series of diary entries interpreting a unique theme given to them each month.
Meet all of our Sling Diarists here.
ON MEMORY
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. My family moved a few times during my childhood and even though I was young, I have vivid memories of the places we lived, especially around Christmas time. One memory in particular stems around getting our family Christmas tree. We always went out and cut a live Christmas tree. Although I was very young at the time, I clearly remember the year that I chose the “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree, because I felt sorry for it and wanted It to have a home (I was the kid that wouldn’t eat the teddy bear pancakes because they had a face). My parents went along with my crazy emotions and much to my delight, the lopsided half balding tree came home with us. I loved that tree and thought it was just perfect. Years later we switched to an artificial tree, but the tradition of cutting down our own tree has stayed with me.
I’m a firm believer that traditions are important. They connect the past to the present, and build a bridge to the future. Doing the same things year after year brings a certain peace and comfort that only traditions can. They remind us of who we are and where we come from. Traditions give us the opportunity to remember those we love who are no longer with us, and the important roles they have played in our lives. They connect us, even when space and time separate us.
As a mama of three little ones, traditions are now more important than ever. My family has since moved to Southern California, which is a completely different culture than where I spent my childhood. Because we live somewhere that is so inundated with a fast paced lifestyle, and city life, it’s important to me to bring a little piece of where I grew up to my children. I want them to grow up with fond memories of their childhoods. One thing we have done purposefully the last couple of years is go to a Christmas tree farm to cut our own tree. It’s not the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, but it’s about as close as I’m going to get here.
I think we often associate traditions with holidays. I have a lot of holiday traditions, but I think as my kids grow up, they will also think of things like dancing around the kitchen. We have danced in the kitchen since Julisabel was tiny, and I’m pretty sure we use it more for dancing than cooking. They will have memories of driving to the mountains for the first snow of the year to eat at the same little diner. And one day, when they have children of their own, I hope my children will remember these traditions of ours, and pass them along...even if they change and adapt them. Because one thing I’m learning about tradition is that it really is so much more about the memories than the actual act.
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