#35 blueberry pancakes

I just spent a few days camping with siblings at our childhood vacation spot (Warren Dunes State Park along the Lake in SW Michigan).  We came from Iowa, Minneapolis and Boston to relive the fond memories of decades gone by. 

Except for experiencing global warming firsthand, the place was pretty much as we remembered it.  We talked about how the trip was like "vacation bingo" -- we felt like we were checking off memories that we were reliving and seeing things that still existed from our original time there.  Pancakes with fresh Michigan blueberries -- check.  Seeing sunset over the lake -- check.  Making pie irons around the campfire -- check.  Men walking with metal detectors along the beach -- check.  The cacophony of sandpipers -- check.  A raccoon digging in the trash during the night -- check.  It was like that for the entire trip.  

Yet while the siblings were re-living this experience, we had new members of the family who were going through the rituals for the first time.  In addition to filling them in on what we had to do, we told them stories about climbing the dunes, burying Dad in the sand, going to specific places for day trips, etc.  They were being enculturated into the family lore.  I hope that as a result, my 4-year old niece will someday bring her kids to this same campground and make blueberry pancakes for them.

How do you help new members of your organizational family learn the stories and legends that bind them to the others?  How can you help them live some of those experiences in addition to just hearing about others?  Everyone wants to know what will help them call out "bingo" on their own card.

--- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
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