Traditions

traditionsplural of tra·di·tion (Noun)

1. The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.

2. A long-established custom or belief that has been passed on in this way.

My sister came to visit me last week from New Castle, De. Her best friend drove up from Fayettville, Ark and both of them stayed at my house. We had so much fun shopping, eating, and getting pedicures.

My sister and her friend have a fun tradition. In 2009, they found a "poppin fresh dough boy." They take turns sending it to one another. The element of surprise is part of the fun.

They never know when and where it will show up. When it does, they put the date on the back of the dough boy, so they can document it's journey.

One time, it was dressed up in a Halloween costume and sent to my sister, Jana. Jana then returned him in a plant that was sent to Karla. Jana was at Karla's house when it was delivered, so she got to witness the surprise.

They get more competitive with each "return" , so coming up with unique ideas and the element of surprise gets harder and harder.

It was my sister's turn to surprise Karla, so Jana shippped it to me in a package, so it would be here when they both arrived.

We were shopping at some antiques stores, and what was on sale at one of the booths, was a dough boy. This triggered Karla to ask who's turn it was and questioned where it was. Jana played it up, and sd she would have to look for it when she got home. (Little did Karla know, I had it in my purse, just waiting for the perfect opportunity for Jana to place it and see the surprise.

We happened to be at the nursing home visiting my mom when it hit us. Karla would never suspect seeing it in a nursing home.

We found the director of activities and explained what we were trying to accomplish(Karla was sitting with my mom and dad, so she didn't see us leave) and said she would play along.

Jana and I went back down to sit with Karla and about 5 minutes later, Pat shows up. She welcomes Jana back into town and we introduce Karla to her. "Nice to meet you Karla, are you Jana's best friend?" And when Karla answers "Yes", Pat said "it's so nice to meet you and this must be yours" as she pulls "dough boy" out of her pocket! The look of surprise was priceless!

What a fun tradition!. "Dough boy" kept showing up the rest of the week whenever we were out. Whether we were at a perfume store or in my kitchen in the pots and pans.

So, whether a tradition is from "generation to generation" or "friend to friend", a tradition creates memories and laughter and that is what life is all about.

Karla, "tag, you're it."