The importance of passing family traditions down through subsequent generations is a huge part in each of our unique life experiences. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with a family who participates in soapbox derby races. To this day they keep that family tradition alive.

This story of how grandfather and grandchildren work together to build their own race cars inspired me to reminisce about some of the traditions I had growing up and how those customs influenced who I am today.

Here’s a bit of trivia about me: I come from a family of journalists. And it’s because of this that I take great pride in placing my stepping stone in continuation of the Knowles-Welsh journalism tradition.

The most memorable moments I’ve had with my family revolve around family traditions, and although my family is a bit on the zany side, that makes us unique, a promising recipe for a fun time.

Through grade school, we would go to my grandparent’s house and eat lunch, chat and share memories of the past while enjoying the present.

At Christmastime, the grandchildren would go to my other grandmother’s house to help decorate, put up what felt like a million decorative Santa Clauses around the house, climb ladders and form assembly lines to get the job done.

As you can imagine, a lot of funny memories were formed within those moments.

To this day, though I am miles away, I find myself making my grandmother’s famous dishes and going all out when decorating my home for the holidays.

Family traditions are important because they give you a source of identity, teach values, strengthen the family bond and add to the rhythm of life.

If your family does not have a tradition, why not start one? It can be the catalyst for lifelong memories.