When Jade and her family reunite for their father’s tenth death anniversary, they discover that a simple family tradition has far more value than any of them ever realized.

I come from a very ordinary family, just like many of you. My parents were hardworking, and my dad was a librarian. Books were always a big part of our lives, and we grew up sharing stories and devouring books over the dinner table.

Now, I’m a nurse, and my husband, Ethan, is a builder. We have two lovely daughters, and we’re living our adult lives in a pretty standard way. But when I think back to my childhood, there’s one tradition that stands out.

Every weekend, my dad and I would sit around the coffee table and make bracelets together. It may seem like a strange tradition, but it was our special time. Dad would bring out a box of glass or plastic beads, and we would spend hours creating unique bracelets.

You see, my dad was never one to express his love with words. Instead, he showed it through acts of love and spending quality time with us. Those bracelet-making sessions were our way of bonding and creating memories.

But as time went by, I took those moments for granted. It wasn’t until my father passed away from multiple sclerosis that I realized just how precious those memories were.

Recently, we gathered as a family to commemorate my dad’s tenth death anniversary. My mom wanted all of us to be together, to find joy in each other’s presence, and to keep his memory alive.

We had a barbecue in the garden, Dad’s favorite Sunday activity. The kids were running around, splashing in the pool, enjoying popsicles, and bringing immense joy to my mom’s heart.

As we sat together and shared our favorite memories of Dad, laughter filled the air. My older brother, Travis, reminisced about how Dad taught him how to ride a bike, even though he often let go too soon, resulting in scraped knees and arms. But in the end, Travis learned how to ride independently.

Adam, the middle child, shared how Dad always gave him relationship advice, even if it was cheesy. And to everyone’s surprise, it actually worked.

When it was my turn to share, I couldn’t help but think of those bracelet-making sessions and my dad’s dad jokes. They were the best! We all laughed as I recounted some of his cheesy humor.

But something changed when my mom asked about the bracelets. She seemed worried, and her voice trembled as she asked where they were.

Confused, I mentioned that they might be in the basement, stored with the Halloween costumes. My mom immediately excused herself and made a phone call.

She returned moments later, urgency in her voice.

“We need to find those bracelets now.”

Together, we searched through boxes in the basement until we found an old, dusty bag hidden behind an ancient couch. Inside were the ten bracelets we made together, each one uniquely designed with different stones.

But there was something different about them this time. In the center of each bracelet was a large gemstone that seemed out of place among the glass and plastic beads. Little did we know, these gemstones held a deep secret.

The next day, my mom and I visited a jeweler to uncover the truth. To our astonishment, each gemstone was worth thousands of dollars.

You see, my extraordinary librarian dad had left us a small fortune in the form of hidden gemstones. As it turns out, he had found them during an archaeological dig in his early twenties and had kept them as a safety net for our family.

This unexpected discovery not only changed our financial situation but also changed how we saw our dad. We were able to pay off debts and secure our futures. My mom even created a proposal for a charity to help families who have lost loved ones rebuild their lives.

And as my mom insisted, my brothers and I each took a gemstone for ourselves, a tangible reminder of our father’s love and the valued tradition we shared.

I had mine set into a ring that I wear every day. When the sunlight hits it just right, I can feel my dad’s presence, reminding me of the love and care he wove into that simple activity of making bracelets.

Now, as a mother myself, I am determined to create special traditions with my daughters. I want them to have memories and moments that will last a lifetime, just like the ones I shared with my dad.

So, I ask you, dear reader, do you have any family traditions? Have you taken the time to reflect on their significance? It’s never too late to start a tradition or honor the ones that have been passed down through generations.

Let’s cherish and celebrate our families, for they are the ones who shape and mold us into the people we become.