Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about your childhood? Traditions of all kinds make up our early years.
Many of these were part of my growing up years. We always went to my grandmother’s house for dinner on Sunday. 
We always had chicken as the main course. My granddaddy always said grace and I always sat on my little bench at the end of the old plank table covered in a colorful oil cloth. This tradition instilled into me the need to be with family, to learn about past lives of my ancestors and to appreciate kinfolk learning things and thoughts passed down through the generations. I played with my cousins and wandered down to the ever-flowing spring with the persimmon trees growing on its banks.
I spent time with my 90-year-old Granny Kea “fetching” her sweet gum tree twigs that I had to chew for her to dip into her little snuff can. I was creating lasting memories that have been rolled over into my adult life and have provided me with a source of identity as where I come from. When our children were young and at home, we always held to the ritual that my family would sit down for supper every night together.
My husband and I were talking about traditions and were somewhat bothered that family rituals are becoming less important and are practiced less and less. They are being replaced by our busy lifestyles. Weekends seem rushed with baseball, soccer, movies and the young romances of our youthful teenagers. Family researchers have found that children who have a high level of grandparent and extended family connections also have fewer emotional and behavioral problems.
We, of course, have our traditions – every holiday my family gathers here to celebrate and enjoy a good meal, visit and catch up on activities, and find out what is new in our lives. Holidays are far apart.
We gather together with our extended family during happy festivities and sadly in times of grief. We do not hear of very many summer family reunions as we enjoyed several years ago. One of my favorite memories is going with my boyfriend, now my husband, to the Delta with his family to one of the Sims reunions. Yes, the older ones have passed on, but what about us that are left? Are our traditions not worthy?
There is something about understanding our past and knowing that we belong to something bigger than yourself that fills us with confidence. I am making a sincere effort to pick up my traditions for my family, old and even add some new. Preserving and making traditions grounds us all in ongoing habits for our children that will last far beyond our time here on earth.
Weekly Recipe
My grandmother made wonderful chicken and dumplings. I am not as practiced as she was so I make this instead and it is also wonderful.
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole – Pour ¼ cup of melted butter in the bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish, sprinkle ¾ cup cooked shredded chicken on top. Mix 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of self-rising flour well and pour over chicken slowly trying not to disturb chicken. Whisk together large can of cream of chicken soup and 2 cups of chicken stock and slowly pour over all. Do not stir. Bake 400* for 35 to 40 minutes or until brown.
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Peggy Sims is a food columnist and resident of Kosciusko.
