Ink And Reason

One of my favorite family traditions was getting together with my maternal grandparents on major holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Eve. We would all gather at their small and cozy apartment in the city, or they would come to ours, and enjoy a feast of traditional dishes, such as sarmale, bœuf salad, cozonac, and papanași (Romanian readers will salivate, the rest of you search the web if curious 😁). We would also exchange gifts, tell stories, and play games. I especially loved playing rummy, chess, and checkers with my father and grandfather, who taught me the rules and strategies of these games. They also taught me how to be a good sport, and how to have fun while learning.

Another favorite family tradition of mine was going to the country house in summer, where we would spend a few weeks in a beautiful historical area of north eastern Romania. The country house was a charming 1920s old building, surrounded by a large garden, close to a deep forest, and a river. There, I would enjoy life in a rural and traditional landscape, where I could explore nature, breathe fresh air, and relax. I would also help my grandparents with some chores, such as gardening, harvesting, and cooking. I learned a lot from them about the local culture, history, and folklore, and I developed a deep appreciation for the simple and authentic things in life.

These are just some of the family traditions that I cherish and remember fondly. They are part of who I am, and they make me feel grateful for the wonderful family that I had the luck to be part of. I hope to be able to continue these traditions with my own family in the future, and to create new ones that will enrich our lives and our bonds.

What are some of your favorite family traditions? Feel free to share them in the comments below. Thank you for reading! 😊