TRADITIONS
Each generation fashions its own traditions.
We as a nation, are, obviously, an example to others. We are also constantly revising and modifying that which we either are, or want to become. In our gradual development we respect the traditions which have been handed down to our generation but we accept them only to certain degree. One might, for example, long for the seemingly quiet and peaceful home life of an era long gone. We want to bring such conditions back once more, but we will insist that it also include the air-conditioning we have found is good and needed. Without such advanced comforts, the formal traditions go unused.
The idea of altering traditions is not new. We have been changing the pattern regularly ever since we we as misfits from various levels of European society. We came to our new home rather heavily laden with a host of traditions from one or more of our points of origin. We quickly found that such guide lines have to be be modified to meet local needs. Some of our traditions hold firm,but outward aspects of the would not be recognized by our ancestors.
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Many of those who arrived in the new country liked it at once and settled down in the Eastern coast. Others, discontent, moved westward into a unknown wilderness seeking their niche in the affairs of the world. Each of them is building traditions based on those which may have guided their lives to an important degree.
Awareness of the important of traditions in our lives is often triggered by news events. Right new. we are in such a period of alertness by the deliberate disobedience of the Laws in California and in New Mexico, by men and women enamored by the gay marriage problems. Homosexual society challenges many of our fundamental views and many bi-sexual persons are being forced to question their stance. We go through such periods of doubt from time to time. ..suffering, as it were, through times of war and times of peace. but this particular affront to our sensibilities has been made a political issue in our elections over the years by those who are desperate to get into a command position once again. It will take longer to re-set our values this time,. perhaps, but tradition will, I think, win in the final rounds.
Too many people think of traditions as being restrictive, sanctuary cells, staid, lifeless hulks of history. True traditions are the hallmarks of venture for each of us, leading into the promising and demanding future which we anticipate, desire and even dread at one and the same time..
A.L.M. February 23, 2004 [c456wds]
