Traditions are important, for our culture, our identity with others, to maintain a thoughtfulness about our ancestors. If we keep them alive in a family setting, our children will have them for the next generations, and it will always keep a sense of something bigger than ourselves. Each generation adds something new, but the base remains the same. For instance, the Holiday meal table, growing up, there were celery and carrots in a nice cut glass thingie on the table. I have kept that up. We have a gravy boat that belonged to my grandmother, it is taken out for the Holiday meal , it is a tradition. We bring the goats new hay and grain and treats on Christmas eve, it used to be sheep, but we switched to goats after the last old sheep died. If we don't go to church, we read the Gospel, we always put out an invitation for dinner, especially if we know someone alone. I have a creche that belonged to a long departed great Aunt. When I am gone, I hope my son and his family will share those things and I will be remembered with fondness. Traditions last if we honor them.