I had the fun adventure of spending July 4th with
my extended family in Roswell ,
NM . I was reminded of a family tradition that at
first did not seem like a tradition at all.
But the more I thought about it, it has almost become a rite of passage
into the Markl family. My brother, Steve, age 62, has been riding
motorcycles since he was 12 years old.
During these 50 years of riding “bikes” he has taught countless family
members how to ride or either taken them on rides on his bikes. The above picture is my brother with his 2
year old grandson on one of his 4 bikes.
Steve taught me how to ride a bike, he taught his own children, his
nieces and nephews, and now is teaching his grandchildren and grand nieces and
nephews how to ride a motorcycle. His
grandson, Hunter, age 13, will be riding his 1st motorcross bike
race this week.
Why is this tradition like many other traditions so
important? Because it says “you belong”
to this family. Each of us need “to
belong” to something greater than ourselves.
Each of us has that desire to be valued for who we are and for what we
are. What greater privilege is there
than “belonging”? “Belonging” is what we
cling to with the storms of life toss us all about. “Belonging” is the anchor we grab for and hold
onto desperately when the waves of turmoil are about to consume us. “Belonging” is what gives us direction and
holds us steady when we are bombarded by so many choices.
What traditions are you creating to let your loved ones know they belong?
No comments:
Post a Comment