The first time I saw my sister place the steaming cup of espresso in front of her toddler, I must admit, I was appalled. After all, aside from the scald factor, there was the unnecessary caffeine dosing of an already hyped-up little boy. However, upon further reflection, I realized that within that cup (which, in reality, contained only a minuscule representation of the remnants of espresso vapor) was held my sister's attempt to pass down to her son the traditions of his ancestors. All the adults in his Italian family share espresso time throughout their day. When his over-seas relatives visit, their day is marked with communal down-time, in which lengthy discourse is shared, laughter is heard, and work is set aside for pleasure.
So, while I may not be breakfasting with my children over a shared pot of hot coffee any time soon, I do intend to search for traditions that I may share with them, that I wish to impart to them, so that one day, they may transition from the children's table to that which the adult table offers - the sense of community, a sense of belonging, a sense of shared traditions. I look around, and I see our culture lacking in these things. Not for lack of ever having it - for lack of preserving it. American heritage is deep with tradition, if one is interested enough to find it and practice it. But we have stepped aside to allow all other facets of this melting pot have their "special day". Traditions make a culture strong, and preserve that which was hard-won in the first place - the right to define oneself through one's values, through a belief system, through that which one holds dear. When we lose traditions, we lose our heritage, our connection to that which made us what we are and brought us to where we are. When we lose traditions, we essentially lose ourselves - and we ultimately lose our future.
