23rd June, 2019
“Dear Diary,
I’m back in my hometown today. The last time I was here, it was biting cold, incredibly bustling, madly crowded and everybody was busy preparing for something we have been doing for more than 50 years in our family. As an atheist, I’ve never been one for big rituals and prayers and such. But once a year, as I see my family, my extended family and friends from far and wide come over to our not-so-well-known hometown, something about this tradition started by my late Grandpa, now passed down to Dad, fills me with an inexplicable sense of gratitude.”
I’ve already talked about this, but since today is about being back in the very underrated town of Durg, stirring up memories and most of all, being grateful for one tradition that I am a part of, it just seems like the right fit for the day. There are times when I have to ask myself just what a wonderful time it is to be alive, because this tradition is something that passes down directly to my cousins and I, being the next generation.
Remember how Carrie Bradshaw once said that “You have to take the tradition and decorate it your own way”? That is exactly how a tradition that has been passed down to a new generation works. Now, I have no idea about how this annual tradition was carried out by my Grandpa 50 years ago, but I see how my Dad handles it. And who knows, when it comes to my brother, my cousins and I, we might bring about our own additions or improvements while also staying true to what was passed down to us.
The way I see it, being the torch-bearer for a new generation in the family comes with its own lengthy list of pros and cons. But you know what? I’ll take it. Handling the horde of guests who come over from wherever just for this one day full of rituals, the decorations, the catering— whatever it is that will be expected of me; what will be expected of all of us who belong to the new generation in our family.
My only hope is that we can do our Grandpa proud.
Cheerio! Xx
Hey guys! For day 23, I chose to write about the tradition that has been passed down to our family by our Grandpa. If you have any similar stories, let me know in the comments below. You can also contact me on my Instagram, and we can talk. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
The Shubhster.
The Shubhster Diaries 