Dec 31 2009
The Accidental Tradition
About six, or maybe seven, years ago, Mr. Hot and I stuffed a trio of Detroit Pistons tickets into Shortman’s stocking for the New Year’s Eve game. We lived 15 minutes from The Palace of Auburn Hills, so it was a quick run up I-75 for the afternoon game and an easy-peasy escape back down the road afterward.
Little did we know we’d be starting a tradition.
Things have changed. We no longer live an easy quarter-hour drive from the arena; it’s more like two hours. The Palace restaurant no longer offers a buffet spread prior to the game, it’s concession stand food or nothing. Shortman no longer looks up to the players; he’s now taller than a good number of them.
But always, it’s the three of us. It’s always tickets stuffed in the stocking amongst the gold-foil covered chocolate coins. It’s always “Deee-troit Basketball” and Shortman’s love of Dippin’ Dots (which are, thankfully, still available at the game).
I’m not sure we’ll make it back for New Year’s Eve 2010. We’ll be living in Chicago – and although the 160 miles we’ll travel today is do-able for our little family’s tradition – 600 is a bit much. We may have to make due with the Bulls – who, coincidentally, are the Pistons’ opponents today.
It hurts a bit to think that this will be our last trip up to The Palace – and that we almost didn’t stuff those tickets in that stocking this year. We asked Shortman if he still wanted to go, if he wanted us to get tickets. He looked at us as if we’d lost our minds – “Those tickets are ALWAYS in my stocking.” – and so, they were. At least this one last time.
And this one last time is going to be AWESOME.
—- Happy New Year to all of you – thank you for sticking around in 2009, for making me laugh and cry, for offering words of encouragement and swift kicks in the pants when needed. May 2010 bring you happiness, healthiness and all of the wonderment and possibilities that it offers. —-
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Happy New year to you and yours, Ree. And just this once- Go Pistons!!
lceel´s last blog ..Don’t bounce your body
What a lovely tradition – one I hope that will carry on in the future…. perhaps a different venue/event.
Happy New Year Ree. Wishing us all a bright and shiney new decade.
xoxox to you and yours.
Have fun tonight!
Happy new year!!!
Jen on the Edge´s last blog ..Christmas vacation
Happy new year!
RC – Rambling Along…´s last blog ..Merry Christmas 2009
What a great tradition!
Happy New Year to you and yours
Rachel´s last blog ..Days of Grace: 94/365
Happy New Year Ree. Enjoy your game!
Love family traditions – - hope once you are in the Chicago area you can make NEW family traditions.
Happy New Year, Ree, to you and yours!
Liz J in Central Illinois´s last blog ..2009: A Year In Review
What a wonderful tradition! I love family traditions of all kinds and that one is no exception! The three of you have fun at the game!
Krissa´s last blog ..I am sure we are outwitting the German spies.
Hope it was all that and a bag of chips (or dippin dots OMG WE HAVE THEM IN AUSTRALIA! FINALLY SOMETHING!!!)
Happy New Year babe. Love you long long time. With or without ping pong balls.
May all your dreams come true this year.
witchypoo´s last blog ..Online Christmas
An “accidental tradition.” I love it!
Happy New Year, Ree!
Miz S´s last blog ..New York New York It’s a Hell of a Town.
Happy New Year Ree!
If Shortman is going to school here and your folks live here and you come back for the holidays …. you can still keep up the tradition!
Glad you were able to go this year incase that ^^^ up there isn’t going to be an option.
I wish you all the best for 2010 … you deserve it!
<3<3<3
Nancy´s last blog ..My Grown Up Christmas Wish
What a cool tradition–and I know Shortman will always treasure that memory even if your tradition changes.
Green Girl in Wisconsin´s last blog ..resolved
Happy New Year dear bloggy friend!
Mrs. Oh´s last blog ..A little of this….
The fact that they’re playing the bulls can officially be considered a “passing of the torch” so to speak.
Happy 2010 to you and all the other Hots.
Ohh, what a fun tradition! Happy New Year
Swishy´s last blog ..I like the look of you, 2010
Things happening by accident usually end up being the best! Happy New Year and a toast to new traditions!
Deb´s last blog ..New Year -New Author
What a sweet tradition! I’m so glad you created that for your son!
Shelly´s last blog ..Product Updates