Rooted in Tradition, United by Purpose
Last weekend, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to champion all three of my kids in different ways. December is always a busy time of year—whether you’re running around from school holiday shows, purchasing the “perfect” gift for your kids’ teachers, booking flights home for college-aged students, or cheering them on as they tackle final exams.
The weekend began with our daughter’s graduation from Emory’s School of Nursing Master’s Program. December graduations are different—perhaps a bit less climactic and predictable than spring ceremonies—but the smaller affair allowed us to pause and truly revel in the moment. Second-degree graduations are different as well; the degree points clearly and specifically toward what the graduate will do. In essence, even without the hoopla and fanfare of undergraduate commencements, they are often more tailored to one’s future. How do you properly honor the commitment and dedication it took to reach such an achievement?
We decided that a “grown-up” watch was in order. My husband received a “fancy watch” from his mother for his college graduation. While his brother chose a trip to Europe, my husband wanted something tangible—something he would always have. Our daughter wanted to continue this tradition with a “real” watch, honoring her grandmother, her father, and her own accomplishment all at once. A tradition is truly established when it spans more than two generations, and I couldn’t be more proud that she chose to carry it forward.
But that was only part one of the weekend.
As I’ve mentioned before, the end of the year is always full. For us, the past three Decembers have included the Army–Navy football game, as our daughter attends West Point. We’ve supported Army in Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C. This year, however, we were a house divided—our son is now a plebe at the Naval Academy. Our weekend in Baltimore was especially meaningful as we rooted for both academies and reveled in all the pomp and circumstance that “America’s Game” entails.
From the fighter jet flyovers and parachute team demonstrations to the perfectly executed March-Ons by both the Army Cadets and Navy Midshipmen, the presidential coin toss, and the lighthearted “exchange student hijinks,” the entire experience was deeply patriotic. Seeing our two rockstars in uniform, proudly representing their respective institutions, was unforgettable.
In the end, though, we were all rooting for America.
One of my favorite quotes about the game is that “it’s the only game where everyone playing is willing to die for everyone watching.” Sit with that for a moment—what it truly means. I invite you to add the Army–Navy game to your own holiday traditions, whether watching from home or adding it to your bucket list (it’s worth it). And taking it one step further, I invite you to reflect on your own traditions—big or small, old or new—because tradition is what gives us identity and belonging.
And during this busy season… who couldn’t use a little more of that?
