Special Mom’s blog

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

Love traditions. I have followed a ton of them and added a few more so my future generations can pick and choose.

That said let me narrate a story my paternal grandmother used to tell us.

In India a death anniversary is celebrated with priests (more than one) coming to the house and chanting prayers. Depending on the type food maybe offered or not.

A particular family was nervous on the day of the anniversary. They couldn’t find a cat. Oh boy! the neighbor was surprised why they wanted a cat? It was not part of their tradition. The head of household replied it is our tradition to cover the cat under a basket and lock it in a room when the priests come to offer the prayers. Unfortunately this year I am not able to find any cats.

My grandma would pause at this point and laugh. Nothing in Vedic rituals called for cats. Some generations ago the family might have had cats in their house and the head of the household might have locked the cat so it doesn’t interfere with the prayers . The future generations just kept the added tradition.

Let me come with my opinion. If the family gets a cat and that gives the satisfaction let them continue doing it. But if they cannot they don’t need to do it.

Traditions and rituals are made for some kind of organization and routine. They should not be a bottle neck and not cause any kind of nervousness.

Anyhow with the social media era I see so many new traditions and rituals followed by families. Really interesting and I am enjoying watching the same.