Tradition and Moving forward

How to keep the connection while changing for the different times

Almost ready for the new-old tradtion

My mother-in-law, Laura prepared special dishes for the holidays. We treasured and looked forward to them each year as thanksgiving and Christmas drew close. My favorite was a composed salad that was served in old fashion champagne goblets. Festive, colorful and delicious it always drew gasps when it was served.

And I’ve been carrying on the tradition, sort of. Champagne goblets? Who has them lying around? I improvised. I served the salad in a large glass platter and people served themselves. Ooo and ahs all around every time. But this year, my husband’s siblings and their children are coming to our house. How are they going to react to the improper presentation? Laura, being an artist, insisted on the perfect display as well as the specific ingredients and taste.

This will be the first time the family was getting together for a holiday after Laura’s passing. Nerves and expectations were dialed on high. Multiple emails, texts, and calls crisscrossed the country; small details were debated, agreed upon and reconfigured repeatedly. It made managing a corporation seem easy in comparison.

Will there be enough food? For the vegans, vegetarians as well as the meat eaters? Meat in the house? Oh my. Who’s bringing the drinks? Desert? What about so and so who doesn’t want to commit until the last moment? Bring a date, yes or no? Finally, the big day came.

Welcome everyone. Drinks. People liked the appetizers. Then the moment of truth. I set up the dinner buffet and right in the center of the table was the special salad. In a big round glass platter. We held hands around the buffet as we gave thanks for the gathering, for the food, for the year and for life. I eyed each person around the room surreptitiously to check for reactions to the presentation. No telling looks. Then — wow, this is beautiful! It must have taken you all day to make this! Our traditional favorite. Laura would have loved it…….

All my anticipation and concern melted away. I gently touched the zit by my temple that erupted yesterday — yes, I know. Stress. Funny that I can run far flung global businesses calmly and I’m…