Daily writing prompt

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

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The Vanishing Threads of Tradition

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” – Gustav Mahler

Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful and thoughtful frame of mind. Today’s writing prompt made me pause and smile wistfully:
“What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?”

It’s a simple question, yet it holds profound layers.

As I sit with my steaming cup of mint tea, memories from my childhood flood in — images of my mother lighting the evening lamp with folded hands.

The smell of homemade pickles wafting through the summer air, and the rhythmic chants by the elderly reciting the Ramcharitmanas every Sunday morning.

These moments weren’t just practices. They were the heartbeat of our home. And yet, as I reflect now, I realize that many of these sacred rhythms of life have quietly faded in my own household.

1. The Evening Lamp Ritual

In my parents’ home, dusk was a sacred time. As the sun dipped below the horizon, my mother would light the diya at the small temple in our home.

The soft glow of the lamp, the faint fragrance of agarbatti, and her whispered prayers would create a cocoon of peace. It was a daily moment of gratitude and a grounding experience.

Today, that ritual has mostly vanished from our home. The lights turn on automatically, and with our busy schedules and screen time, the time for connecting with something greater and reflecting on the day has been lost.

I often wonder—was it just about the flame, or the calm it gave?

2. Handwritten Letters

Another lovely tradition my parents had was writing letters. Whether it was to a family member in another city or a note to a friend, they valued the charm of handwritten messages.

I still keep a few of those letters in my possession—his tidy writing, the thoughtful words, and the care in each sentence written on a postcard and inland.

In contrast, our world today moves at lightning speed with texts, emojis, and voice notes. Convenience has replaced sentiment.

I haven’t written a personal letter in years—and I feel a tinge of loss for that slower, more deliberate form of connection.

(All pics courtesy:Google.com)

3. Seasonal Foods and Homemade Recipes

Every season in our home came with its own delicacies. Summer meant mango pickles, aam papad, and bael sharbat. Winter brought gajar ka halwa, methi parathas, and sesame treats.

These weren’t just recipes—they were stories passed down, acts of love expressed through ingredients.

Nowadays, with supermarkets and food delivery apps, I confess we don’t make these seasonal treats.

My granddaughter, though fascinated by stories of these dishes, knows more about burgers and pasta than til laddoos. I wonder what culinary memories she’ll carry forward.

4. Joint Family Celebrations

Festivals in my parents’ time were community affairs. Whether it was Diwali, Holi, or Raksha Bandhan, the house would echo with laughter, children running through rooms, elders narrating tales from epics, and plates brimming with homemade delights.

Today, our celebrations are often solitary, confined to nuclear households. COVID accelerated this trend, but the disconnection was already underway.

That warmth of extended family, the collective spirit of celebration, seems to be missing.

5. Early Morning Routines

My father would wake up at 5 AM sharp. After a brisk walk and a cup of kadha, he would sit down with a book or his diary. No mobile, no TV, no noise—just himself and his thoughts. That calm routine set the tone for his entire day.

I’ve tried emulating this, but I find myself reaching for my phone the moment I open my eyes. The stillness our elderly cultivated is something I now long to reclaim.

Why Did These Traditions Fade?

It’s easy to blame modern life. But perhaps, it’s more than that. It’s a shift in priorities, in pace, in how we define connection and meaning.

While our parents had fewer distractions, they had more time to be present. In contrast, our lives are abundant with tools but often devoid of quiet.

What Remains?

Despite these fading traditions, their spirit still lives within me.
– I may not light a lamp daily, but I pause in gratitude each night.
– I may not write letters, but I write blogs—like this one—to connect with others.
– I may not follow every culinary custom, but I share stories of those recipes with my family.

Traditions evolve. While we may not follow them in form, we can keep their essence alive.

A Gentle Reminder

To anyone reading this, I say—revisit those old family traditions. Not with pressure, but with curiosity. Maybe you’ll revive a lost recipe. Or light a lamp once a week. Or write a handwritten note to someone you love.

In doing so, you may rediscover not just a practice, but a part of yourself.

With warmth and nostalgia,
— Vijay Verma
Retired but never tired of reminiscing and writing.

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Tags: #Family, #Life, christmas, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2015, featured, food, writing