Family Tradition #59 Contest of the LOH

Hello friends of hive! Its the ladies of hive 59th contest and this one is hosted by @elizabethbit. I invite @zohu and @dleveragequeen to join this week's holiday themed contest.

This time we want to know...

1️⃣ The holidays are all about tradition. What is your most cherished family holiday tradition? Tell us about it, how it came to be, and why it's special to you.

Or

2️⃣ So many shiny ornaments (and maybe some not so shiny). Show us your most treasured holiday ornament and tell the story behind it.

I choose to answer the first question.

I come from a family of eight and every year we have what we call the end of the year family meeting slash award night. I'm not sure when its started but its always a fun evening when we chat, review, laugh, give awards,criticize, advice, apologize, give gifts and make a toast to a successful year well spent in good health and togetherness. Then we go ahead to toast to the new year as we wish one another joy, laugher and love in the new year.

This has been part of my family tradition for more years than I can remember now. It normally holds every 31st of December. It was started and sustained by my father. We always start the meeting with a word of prayer and our nominated paid secretary, which was always me, read the minute for the meeting and basically champion the direction of the meeting. It was a time to say what you've always wanted to say. Everyone was somewhat equal that night and opened to constructive criticism or praises for a job Weldon. My mom was always the one that got the most award. It was the one time we really try to show her how much we appreciate all that she does.

We make forecast and budget for things or family projects in the meeting. It was the night we could request something done so long as you can justify your request. I remember as children we always had 'Swimming pool' as part of the projects in the list year in year out. We never actually got one just like some other items in this list. Though many other necessary ones were always done. We end with a toast and presentation of awards.

I have not attended family meeting for more than three years now because at first I left home to a bigger city for greener pasture where I finally settled and got married. So yeah, I relocated to settle far away from home. I'm not sure who took over my once in a year day job as a family secretary. It was one aspect I enjoyed so much because it was sure money. I can't predict what award I would win for the night but I could tell for sure how much I was going to earn for been the secretary. And the fun thing was that the pay got bigger year in year out.

Family is everything to me. And I'm glad to have grown up in such an amazing home. I had a beautiful child hood experience. My parents did an awesome job at bringing us up in a conducive and love filled family atmosphere. They were always there for us. I appreciate all of that better now that am a parent.