text: Title: A Virtual Tradition Author: Haripriya Authors Note: Hello everyone! I wish you all a happy Saturday! Other than the previous one, this story is a bit more traditional, yet still cheerful and happy. During these tough, challenging times, we might have a negative mindset. But please remember that this won't be permanent. Everyone is working together to solve this! But there are always other solutions we could do which are just as effective as being together, and this story teaches that. I hope you enjoy it! "Students! During your fall break, I want you to think of one new holiday, or tradition you can come up with during Thanksgiving. When we come back to school on the 30th, feel free to share what you and your family did! I look forward to hearing everyone's ideas." Naomi's teacher explained to the class. The poor girl kept pondering over what to come up with. She didn't really have an idea of what to say. What new tradition could she possibly come up with? She wasn't necessarily known as the creative one, but more of the quiet one. She was more on the introvert side, though sometimes she was an ambivert. One of her main hobbies was to read, and write poems, or to be more specific, a haiku. They really challenge her to write short, yet beautiful poems. She normally does that on her own time. After homework, you may also find her painting flowers or drawing self-portraits. But coming up with new traditions wasn't on her to-do list. In fact, the teacher's assignment over the break puzzled everyone in her class. What if they come up with a tradition, but then realize it already existed? Or that other families already do it? You couldn't blame anyone. It was a challenging thing to come up with. Especially considering the fact that thanksgiving won't be celebrated like how it used to be. No more groups together, no more traveling to another's house, and buying them presents. No more eating together, like a feast. It was too dangerous to go out like that. The virus has been getting even worse since the start, so going out wasn't even an option. So how could traditions be celebrated without seeing your family and friends? Without experiencing it with them? Without creating those precious, valuable moments with them? Naomi was really in a pickle. "Hey there Naomi...if you don't mind, can I sit here?" asked her friend in her science class, Clair. "Yeah! Sure, you can sit. Here, let me just scootch my backpack for you so that you can have more space." she said, and placed her heavy book bag between her feet. "Do you have more space now?" Naomi asked. "Oh yes, I do! Thanks, Naomi!" replied Clair cheerfully. "Hey... by any chance, do you have an idea about the traditions thing? It's almost like my brain switched off today because I don't seem to be getting any good ideas for it. I don't want to steal your idea, but just want to get inspired by it. It's fine if you don't have an idea though." said Naomi. "Well, I don't know if this idea is so good that you'll get inspired by it, but I'll tell you anyway. So I was planning to do a Thanksgiving game night. Usually, we won't have time to play games because we will be visiting family and doing other activities, but since we're not planning to go out anywhere this year, I was thinking of playing lots of games." Clair said and continued looking at the glass window. "Actually that's a great idea! Though I am going to try and come up with something different, that tradition is a great start, Clair! Well... I wish we could talk more about this, but I have to go home. Anyways, have a great Thanksgiving break, and see you on Monday!" replied Naomi. The two friends waved a good-bye, and Naomi went out of the school and started strolling through the paved sidewalk, kicking the small pebbles and stones. Her hands were in her sweater's pockets, buried inside. She swayed left to right, still wondering about what new tradition she could make. ✻✻✻ After a long walk, she finally reached home. Still wandering, and hesitantly taking each step. She knocked on the door and saw her mother's face light up. Naomi fake-smiled, and placed her backpack on the couch, still thinking. She was in deep thought. Naomi wanted her tradition to be unique as well as something fun and exciting, something her family would actually enjoy for Thanksgiving. Considering all those factors, she still kept thinking about Clair's reply to what she was thinking of doing with her family. She remembered her saying, "... but since we're not planning to go out anywhere this year... " Suddenly, she got it. Yes, families couldn't physically be with each other due to the current circumstances, but good thing this isn't the 19th century, because the 21st century has something they didn't, and that is technology. They didn't have electronics, wi-fi, or the internet in general. Naomi was going to use that as an advantage. Since no one can properly connect with their families and loved ones by meeting them in person, devices such as phones, ipads, tablets, and computers will come in really handy. She had a perfect idea: doing Thanksgiving virtually. She thought that on the 26th her family could video call with her grandparents and cousins. After all, the whole purpose of Thanksgiving was thanking and being grateful for what we have, she thought that everyone could right one thing that they are grateful of! Showing love and affection towards family members by giving them proper respect and significance is also another part of Thanksgiving. Naomi thought of everyone doing a type of kindness craft together. She knew that was going to be the perfect fun activity that would bring everyone closer together, and at the same time enjoy and cherish their time together virtually. So what if people can't go to their families' house to gather together? Fortunately, technology now exists and people can get together that way. She could just imagine her new activity was going to be such a huge hit. Picturing everyone's smiling faces and the amount of fun they were all going to have. Naomi couldn't wait any longer. She just HAD to share this exciting news with her family, for everything was going to be just perfect. She just couldn't believe her idea was actually going to work out! With a proud smile, she strode along the hallway, head up, and high. ~ The End ~