DJC#028 – Reflecting on the Year: A New Dad Tradition

As we’re wrapping up the first month of 2024, I find myself reflecting on the precious moments that made 2023 an unforgettable journey for my family and me. One new tradition I started for us to help remind us of these treasured memories is the creation of our own memory jar.

Memory Jar

My son crafted and gifted me a really cool glass jar a couple years ago. I loved it and added it to my desk as a decoration, but it just sat there empty for while. Then I came across this idea from another parent online (can’t recall who it was or where I saw it though). The idea is to write handwritten notes capturing the essence of each significant moment throughout the year. From joyous celebrations to heartwarming milestones, each note has become a timeless keepsake, representing the cherished experiences of the year gone by. And this was a perfect way to fill up my jar.

A New New Year’s Eve Tradition

As we ushered in the New Year, I surprised my wife and son with our jar full of memories. We sat around our coffee table with our glasses of champagne and sparkling juice with a sense of excitement and nostalgia, we upturned the jar, releasing a cascade of memories that I had jotted down throughout the year. Each of us took turns reading aloud with lots of Awwwwws and Oh yeeeaaaahs.

It was a start to a new tradition that served as a great reminder of the wealth of experiences and bonds that enriched our family’s journey throughout the year – places we visited and experiences we had…both individually and as a family. It offered an invaluable opportunity to relive these treasured moments, celebrating the joy, love, and togetherness that have woven the fabric of our lives together.

Can’t Remember It All

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook or even forget the countless small but significant moments that shape our lives. You can’t remember it all! This reflective experience not only provided a dedicated time for the family to come together and reflect, but it also cultivated a deeper appreciation for the richness of life’s experiences.

As we’re almost a month into this new year, I encourage you to consider embracing or creating your own unique traditions – a simple yet profound way to honor and celebrate our lives and to strengthen the bonds that unite us as families and Dads. Use this new tradition of our family and create your memory jar, or put your own spin on it and store you memories somewhere else.

Let’s raise our jars and hearts, toasting to the memories of 2023 and the adventures that await us this year. Wishing all you Dads and your families a joyous and memorable 2024.