Recently I experienced a heartfelt example of passing traditions down in my family. It originated with my wife’s Grandma Ivy’s famous pink cookies. She would bake them in Alaska for family and neighbors… and everyone LOVED her cookies! Generations since have continued the tradition of baking pink cookies. This time, my 3 year old grandson, Miles, learned this special pink cookie recipe from his great-grandma, Karran. Miles was SO excited the moment he walked in the door and sweetly asked to start making cookies!
In a moment of honesty that morning, Karran told us she had “almost” made the cookie dough herself. She then realized, if she is going to pass on the art of pink cookie baking, she must teach all of it...every step! I thought, bravo!
Passing it on must be intentional – because it is really easy to just bake the cookies and have them ready when Miles walks in. Passing it on became intentional when Karran asked Miles and his mother, Shyana, if they wanted to learn how to make the pink cookies together. Miles experienced the process first hand as he added the sugar to the bowl.
Yep, sugar is sweet and so is passing it on! Some day Miles may not remember many details about his great-grandma, but he will never forget who taught him how to make those Pink Cookies.
Take a moment and think about some of the traditions at your school. What traditions do you have? How can you help ensure the traditions will be passed down each year? Traditions could be homecoming, an annual spring art show, or maybe an amazing way to send off graduating seniors. Traditions may evolve over time with new staff and students. And...it’s never too late to start a new tradition!
What is a tradition your school is planning this spring? We would love to hear! Share with us on our “School Culture by Design” Facebook page!
