“The greatest healing therapy is family and love.”

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We took the little humans of our family – my little sister and little cousins – to the pumpkin patch last weekend but I’ll admit, I probably enjoy the pumpkin patch as much as, if not more, than they do 🙊 I love everything about the experience – the maze, the hayrides, the photo ops (obviously), and picking out the perfect pumpkins that would come home with us.

But mostly what I love so much about it is that we’ve all intentionally carved out some time to spend with each other – as a family. Especially because life can get so busy and filled with day-to-day responsibilities. Going to the pumpkin patch every year is one of our family traditions I hold super close to my heart. I spent a lot of time this year just watching my family and enjoying their company. I guess as I’m getting older, and knowing that this life living with lupus can be difficult, maintaining family traditions means so much more to me now. Not just because it’s something we DO, but because making memories with the people I love, and who love me, is the thing that pushes me through the very hard days.

On the days when I am too tired or in too much pain to do anything, I can think back to watching my mother, sister, and cousin jump from haystack to haystack trying not to fall. When we fed the goats and pet the cows or when my cousin and uncle helped me find the perfect little baby pumpkin just because I love cute things. These are the memories that brings a smile to my face on the days I feel so defeated. Family traditions and quality time has this beautiful potential to bring incredible healing.

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What are some of your favorite family traditions?

All my love,

Syd