There was no way to know back then that two decades later I would be on a similar hunt, this time with a newborn baby strapped on my chest, and three boys bounding ahead.

It’s a question that took me over two decades to answer, “Is it worth it to take young kids on trips they won’t remember?”

We would fumble, I was certain. Sometimes dancing is nothing but mess as we sloppily maneuver around one another until we fall into step together.

During the Christmas season, there are so many things that vie for our attention. This month the world will scream its definition of Christmas, while God will whisper, “Remember Me.”  

My mother was the queen of tradition-making. She worked to keep the main Gift of Christmas the main gift of our attention. But in all the activities, she recognized the simple power of connection.

“Mom, what is Thanksgiving?” His question came from the backseat. I can’t recall what, exactly, I was talking about. But that word caught his attention. His question caught my own. And I didn’t know whether or not to be upset.