{mama's gift: a tradition}

I have mentioned many times here on my blog, that my family is one of MANY traditions. We very literally SWIM in them...and I love every single one. It seems as if every time I write about one of them, it is prefaced by me saying..."This is one of my VERY FAVORITE traditions." LOL! I'm finding that EVERY tradition we have is "one of my VERY FAVORITES." It's a happy thing. :-) And so, I begin this brief entry today by saying that one of my VERY FAVORITE traditions is actually a gift from my Dad to my Mom...that ends up being a gift to all of the Dahlquist girls. Years ago (I can't remember how long ago....it seems like we have been doing this forever), my Mom asked for a day out with her girls....ALL of her girls (daughters and granddaughters and my cousin Suz and her daughter that we have literally adopted in as ONE OF US) at Quilted Bear. And with that, a tradition was started. Each year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, all of the girls in the Dahlquist family gather together at Quilted Bear and are greeted by cute Mama who has envelopes of spending money for EACH of us (from our sweet Dad). The only stipulation is that we use the money on ourselves. That might sound funny...most people don't have any problem spending money on themselves. Not us. Every single one of us in our fam finds it much easier (and much more pleasurable) to buy things for others. And to be honest, it is so surprisingly hard for me to follow that rule. I struggle buying myself things....when I could use the money for someone else. And that is a common feeling in my awesome fam...and thus, the rule was made. :-) And yet somehow, we all still end up somehow squeezing in a little something for someone else AFTER we've found something for us. LOL! Bless our hearts.

This year (which we actually had to postpone until this past Saturday, due to scheduling conflicts), I was in serious need of jeans (I lost 16 pounds this month, so the new jeans I bought LAST month are already too baggy to wear)....so instead of spending all of my money at Quilted Bear, I bought myself a little prize and then saved the rest for a pair of jeans...which I DID find later that day..and LOVE. I can never justify spending money on things for myself unless I truly need it or if it SCREAMS at me. At Quilted Bear, it seems as if everything there is a "luxury" and not really something I need. And when money is tight, it's so hard to spend it just to spend it. So I wandered up and down the aisles, LOVING everything, but not really able to justify spending money on it. However, the little prize I found, DID scream at me and was very EASY for me to buy. Those who know me well, will know why. Even my babies said "Hey..that is just like you" and mentioned how similar it was to the affirmations they say before bed every night ("I have peace in my heart. I am kind to everyone. I choose to be happy and I love who I am.") In two short words, this little magnet sums up my motto for life...and I LOVE IT!!!

The greatest part of this tradition, is walking up and down the aisles together, looking at crafts and calling out (or doing the Dahlquist whistle) for each other to come and see the clever or funny things we find on every aisle. And after our shopping is finished, we always end up at The Hungry Bear (located inside of Quilted Bear) for lunch (also a gift from Dad) to eat delicious food (I traditionally order the Navajo Taco...it's HEAVEN), visit and share everything we bought. We have been doing this so long, that the sweet owner of The Hungry Bear and her many children that work there all know to expect our huge group the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. :-) It is SUCH a great day and SUCH a happy tradition and one that I look forward to all year long. My parents are two of the most selfless people that I know...truly. It doesn't come as any surprise to me, that my sweet Mama's gift request from my Dad is actually one that brings ALL OF US together for such a fun and memorable day each year. So much love for my sweet Mama....for my amazing and generous Dad and for wonderful traditions that bring us closer together as a family. Happy day!

Comments

[creole wisdom]

What a great tradition! Spending money on yourself is tough, but it's important from time to time :)

[Kristan Paolacci]

Oh how I love Quilted Bear !!! What a wonderful dad you have !!!

[Heather Hubrich]

Oh YAY! This is going to go so good with my gift I get to give you Sunday! Happy Day!

[Gayle]

I love everything you wrote but the l6 lbs. really made me excited! Happiness agrees with you. Merry Christmas, Gayle