Prompt: A New Tradition

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Prof. Sky Alton
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Prompt: A New Tradition

Post by Prof. Sky Alton »

Traditions are fine things (well, most of the time). But as precious as old ones can be, there’s a quiet kind of magic in creating new ones, whether you do it on purpose or find that one has just taken root without you really noticing.
For this prompt, we’d like you to write a story (200 words or more) about the start of a brand new tradition. The type of tradition and the genre is entirely up to you, just remember to keep it HOL appropriate!
You’ll earn 20 beans for completing this prompt as well as it counting towards the chance to snag our shiny Quill and Ink award.

There is no deadline as such for these prompts but if you’d like it to count towards your chance of earning the award for a specific year, we’ll need it by the end of that school year. If you’re comfortable sharing, then post below. If not, email your story to us via hol.bookclub @ gmail.com (without the spaces). Oh and remember it’s a good idea to check through your piece carefully for spelling and grammatical errors as they make it harder for people to properly enjoy your work.
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Artemisia Thorne
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Posts: 55
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2023 6:21 am

Re: Prompt: A New Tradition

Post by Artemisia Thorne »

Once upon a time, in a quaint little town nestled between rolling hills and babbling brooks, there lived a family named the Williamsons. The Williamsons were like any other family, with their share of joys and sorrows, but this year, they decided to embark on a journey that would forever change the fabric of their lives.

As the holiday season approached, a sense of excitement filled the Williamsons household. However, this year was different. The matriarch of the family, Margaret, had recently lost her husband, George, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill. The grief weighed heavily on the family, threatening to overshadow the festive spirit that once brought them so much joy.

Determined to honour George’s memory and create a new sense of togetherness, Margaret gathered her three children – Deborah, the eldest, who was a college student with dreams as vast as the sky; Andrew, the middle child, an aspiring artist with a heart full of compassion; and little Nicola, the bundle of energy who was the light of their lives.

In the quiet evenings leading up to Christmas, the Williamsons gathered in the living room, surrounded by memories of holidays past. Margaret explained her idea for a new tradition that would celebrate not only the present but also the cherished moments they had shared with George. The family decided to create a "Memory Jar."

Each family member was given a small notepad and a pen, and they were encouraged to write down their favourite memories of George. It could be a moment of laughter, a piece of advice, or a simple, everyday occurrence that had taken on a deeper meaning. They would place these notes in the jar, creating a treasure trove of memories that would be revisited every year.

On Christmas Eve, as the family gathered around the decorated tree, they took turns reading the notes aloud. The room was filled with laughter, tears, and the bittersweet beauty of remembering a loved one. They discovered stories they had forgotten and learned new facets of George’s life that had never been shared before.

As the last note was read, a profound sense of warmth enveloped the room. The Memory Jar had become a vessel of healing, a way for the family to connect with the past and find solace in their shared love. In that moment, they realized that while George was physically absent, his spirit lived on in the love and memories they had created together.

The Williamsons had not just started a new tradition; they had woven a tapestry of love and remembrance that would endure for generations to come. The Memory Jar became a symbol of resilience, a testament to the enduring power of family bonds, and a reminder that, even in the face of loss, the love we share continues to shape our lives in beautiful and unexpected ways.
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