Traditions & Distractions

This morning I woke up minus the migraine, which was a great relief for me! I decided that it would be a “hair” day, which meant I would not have enough time before my church service which was being transmitted at 09h00. 8h45 and my mom and I were ready to start our Good Friday tradition, church service followed by a lunch of pickled fish and hot cross buns.

Over the years the tradition changed, first when my sister got married and then me. My sisters’ mother-in-law use to host a family lunch and then my sister took over in hosting and for the last few years Jason and I sort of took over the Good Friday tradition, so that it left my sister with hosting us for Easter Sunday lunch. Now Good Friday lunch would always have pickled fish and hot cross buns on the menu, but as the years rolled on, it turned into serving of fish in various forms to fish on the braai with various courses of seafood. It is the one day that there is no vegetables or meat!

Of course today there was no other family around, since lock-down does not allow it. Instead it was Jason, my mom and I enjoying our Woolworths pickled fish and buns. Now you might ask why I did not make any of this myself? Truth is, I almost did not buy the pickled fish or buns either! Besides the Christian celebration, it is also a time for being surrounded by family and friends. And this year it was so different, so somber. The absence of family was felt and it made me realize how unknowingly certain traditions become a part of who you are.

How many of us take these traditions for granted, until it is no longer there? Yes, we adapt as family members pass on or family is gained through marriage, but the reason for the celebrations remain. Its a time for family and friends that become family.

After lunch I thought I better straighten the hair, as I was not going to cave in and have another week of Bob Marley! As I was flipping through the DSTV Channels, I came across Karate Kid! Now how many of you remember Daniel-San and Mr Miyagi? Wax-on, wax off. Sand left, sand right. Paint up, paint down. Now this movie takes me back to my childhood, like no other! I could not have asked for a better distraction of such a different Good Friday!

It makes me think of what Easter 2021 would look like? What will the tradition be like going forward? Do we wait until 2021 to find out or do we celebrate as a family when we come out of lock-down? One thing I know for sure, is that no matter where or how we celebrate, there will always be fish and buns as a reminder of how things can change in the blink of an eye.

Appreciate your traditions, in the here and now.

Until next time…….

Love, light and positive change,

Ophelia