Being that I’m approaching middle-age, it’s only fitting that I feel stuck in the middle of past and future. The holidays are approaching, and there’s a part of me that wants to go back in time and spend the holidays like I always did. Mom thinking through the ingredients for her Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes. My brother and I scanning through magazines to add toys to our Christmas lists. My dad stopping by a few days before Christmas to put gifts under the tree. I miss the little things we used to do. I miss the feeling of excitement that came from consistent holiday routines. I love the part of me that always goes back into my memory bank to relive those times.

Then, there’s another part of me that feels excitement for the future. My parents have both passed away, and my brother and I (being in our thirties now) have our own families that we’re forming. The thought of starting my own traditions brings a smile to my face. I want to bring the same feelings of excitement to my kids (when I have them). I want to make my own traditions.

And yet, I also want the traditions my parents created for my brother and I to be passed down. . .

As weird as it feels being stuck in the middle of past and future holiday traditions, I’m grateful for it. I’m grateful for the past I had — the time spent with my parents and the excited feelings of holiday joy. What a blessing that I got to experience that. I’m also grateful for being in a position to create that same kind of holiday joy for my future children. The beauty is that I get to decide what stays from the past and what gets added into the future.

If you’re in a similar position, let’s take it as a blessing! It’s too easy to wish for what we no longer have. It’s too easy to want to just go back to simpler times. But, that’s not our present reality. It doesn’t mean we can’t make the future just as great or just as simple. We get to be creative! We get to form our own tradition — for ourselves, our friends, or our families. That makes me excited! That gets my mental wheels turning.

We get to think about the things that made the holidays most special and bring those things into future holiday seasons. For me, it’s baking pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving, like my mom did for us; it’s picking out and decorating a live Christmas tree every year. Then there are the new traditions I’m starting for myself, like having a special Christmas Eve dinner and taking a mini vacation in December. That’s the beauty of traditions — they can be tweaked and tailored to work for the things that mean the most.

As we approach another holiday season, think about the past traditions you are thankful for. Think about the new traditions you want to establish. This wonderful time of the year puts the focus on being grateful, spending time with those we love, and holding onto our faith. If you find yourself stuck in the middle between past and future traditions, just know you’re not alone. I’m right there with you putting the pieces in place, one holiday at a time.

Sis, how do you hold onto past traditions — and how are you forming new traditions for the future? Drop a comment to share how you’re holding space for moving into this upcoming holiday season!