traditions.

It's hard getting through the holidays for most. Of course there's all the cool stuff you get to experience; the girl's excitement topping the list. But let's face it, even the most calm, rational beings can have issues this time of year.

It's important for me to have a common base in my house for Christmas. Especially when so much has happened this year. It's nice to rely on our traditions to keep us grounded in what's really important.

We got a great tree this year. It was $14.95 at Home Depot, and it's a beauty. Taking out ornaments are like visiting with old friends. Most have memories attached. During the separation last Christmas, it was hard to face some of those ornaments. This year, with those safely packed away, decorating was much simpler.

My family comes over tomorrow night. I've been a willing host for about eight years, despite my older sister's best efforts to swipe away the honor. I cling to this event because I truly enjoy it, and it's all the girls have ever known.

I've ordered the pierogi, washed Gram's familiar green Christmas Eve dishes and pulled out the 12 Days of Christmas plates. A tradition of a group sing-a-long started quite by accident those eight years ago, and we do it every year. You pick a plate and that's your verse to sing. It's a hilarious five or so minutes, with really awful singing and a lot of laughs.

Tonight, the girls and I attended Christmas service at Parkview. It was beautiful: a candlelight ceremony, Christmas songs and the lesson of the Christmas story. We celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus simply because He was born to take our sin to the cross, so that we might one day live with him in his Kingdom.

Believe and accept that and you're in. That's definitely a reason to celebrate. And attending the candlelight service is a new tradition begun.

Traditions give continuity to life.

Like thread in a quilt, they run all the way through and hold even the most challenging pieces together.