CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1485967
16 December 2022 All about family Holiday traditions strengthen bonds for those navigating military commitments BY JASON BRADY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA SUE GERRITS C alifornia natives Becky and Steven Griffin never put up their Christmas tree until the day aer anksgiving. "We put up the tree and decorate, then we pull out all the leovers from anksgiving and eat leovers while watching 'A Charlie Brown anksgiving,'" says Becky, a fih-grade teacher at Village Christian Academy. "We also use our grandmothers' china to serve holiday meals even if it is just the four of us." FEATURE The Griffins got an early start on their Christmas tree this year; they usually wait until the day after Thanksgiving. From left are Nathan, 18; dad Steven; mom Beck y; and Noah, 13. e Griffins have two sons, Nathan, 18, and Noah, 13. Steven is in the Army. "On Christmas Day, we always FaceTime our family back home while we open gis," Becky says in an email. Aer the Christmas service at church, the family grabs hot cocoa from Starbucks and drives around looking at Christmas lights, she says. e holidays are similar for many military families, who are oen separated by deployments and other assignments even at times when loved ones are traditionally together. For those who are stationed far away from their hometowns and unable to gather with their relatives in person, celebrating traditions that spark memories helps keep them connected. "Since we have become a family, we always buy an ornament from every duty station we have been to," Becky Griffin says. "And also, whenever we travel, we pick up an ornament from the places we visit. We have a special tree in our home that we call our 'Army tree,' and it has ornaments that we have collected over the years. "We also have another tree that just has special family ornaments that were from mine and Steven's childhood that are special to us. It is just a small way we stay connected with our family back home when we are missing them," she says. "Being so far away from family during the holidays is hard, but having some traditions that stay the same brings some comfort to our family."