Most people have such busy lives it's difficult to find time for family. My family used to get together for birthdays, holidays and cookouts, but it just doesn't seem to be happening as frequently any more.
A few years ago I put together a family trip to a local corn maze. It was a wonderful way to spend a Fall afternoon. After the maze, we returned to my house for soup and apple crisp and then we visited a local haunted house. We had such a great time that we made it a yearly family "tradition."
Yesterday was our "corn maze" day and as the hay wagon approached the maze my uncle mentioned that the corn didn't seem very tall.
I just figured it was an optical illusion and as we got closer the corn would get taller.
We couldn't believe it when we arrived and the corn was not even shoulder high. It was the most pathetic corn...a poor crop, due to the very wet summer we had.
As we wandered around, actually looking over the top of the corn, we joked about "getting lost" and "finding our way out" and we even whined a little about getting our money back. It was very disappointing.
I'm proud to say that we
made the best of it.
We had a lot of laughs and
in some areas of the maze (not many)
the corn was actually taller than we were.
Laughing about it afterward, trying to justify the money spent, we decided the day was not a total loss:
the weather had turned out nice
we got a hayride out of it
most important of all...we had spent quality time together
So what if the corn maze sucked! The important thing is we carried on our tradition!
It was then that we decided our new family motto:
Here is a video from a couple years ago - when the corn was CORN:
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Sharon-any soup and apple crisp left over??? I guess the corn wasn't "knee high by the Fourth of July". Sounds like a great way to get the family together and enjoy the outdoors.
Sharon, I love family traditions. I think it gives they give our children a great sense of what family is all about and it also gives them a sense of security.
Sharon, I love family traditions too. It is also a great compliment to the tradition to keep a history of it in a book that gets added to year after year to pass down to the children. Thanks for sharing! (Canned corn last year, I bet)!
You bet, we always have to remember that there are 2 sides to every coin. Do we look at the glass half empty or half full. I agree that the time spent together is the most important thing, not the surroundings but the family time!! Great post. Thank you for sharing
You would think...since lots of people think...that Wisconsin is one big farm...oh not..that corn maze would be a familiar site, term....adventure...not....sounds like a fun tradition and it is about making memories...enjoy !
Sharon...It is about the quality of time not the event it self. For the first time we will be breaking a tradition and reinforcing another this year. My folks usually go south after Christmas, but this year Thanksgiving will be the exit date. My Thanksgiving dinner..will become all that more important for family time.
We've lost three key members of our family in the last two yrs. who were the glue that kept us together socially !!! The next generation is having trouble keeping with TRADITION and continuing all of fanily functions/socials that the "lost three" ran like clockwork !!!!
Hi, Sharon - What a great tradition. I love the fall festivals but have never been much for the corn maze - but I suppose it rather defeats the purpose to be taller than the corn! Great image, actually. Glad you found a way to celebrate the day as a success. Wishing you all the best this fall and upcoming holiday season! Laura
Oh Sharon, that is one funny photo of the corn field with your new family motto. I think the majority agree that family traditions are priceless even if they at times do not appear to "measure up" to our initial expectations. Keep 'em going, you will be very glad you did.
There is nothing better than family, friends, fun and some down time from work no matter what you do. Hot chocolate and smores around a late fall fire are springing to mind!
John: High as an elephant's knee maybe! Yes, we did have fun! Thanks!
Kathy: I would love to share soup and apple crisp with you some day! Honestly, the corn was only knee high in some areas...we had to laugh!
Melinda: Time with family is priceless, and six adults in one vehicle makes it even more special!
Sybil: This year we didn't have any children with us, but you are so right! Children need that feeling of belonging to something, it is a form of security.
Carla: Funny you should mention lemonade, because I was trying to make that expression work for my title! Thanks for the comment!
Michelle: Glad you enjoyed by saga! I have a crazy family and I am so glad I do!
Debra: It was a magical moment the way the motto fell into place...I'm so glad you laughed and enjoyed the post. Are your sisters gone or just far away? If they are still alive...let this be your inspiration to initiate a reunion!
Bob and Carolin: My family has some pretty outrageous memories! We have had some pretty awesome times together. We are very blessed.
Sharon - I got a really good laugh out of that! Glad you enjoyed your time together. This will definately be one year you won't forget, and can laugh about for years to come.
Leslie: Why am I not surprised that you would like the motto! Thanks!
Fernando: That's wonderful that your wife has established family traditions for your children. It makes them secure knowing what to expect and gives them something to really look forward to, and creates wonderful memories.
Diane: I don't have a book, but my blog has become a sort of diary to reflect back on.
Jean: Very good point, the immediate initial reaction was glass half empty. We turned it around to glass half full pretty fast though. We do have a way of making even the worst situation enjoyable.
Dave: Family outings are pretty essential to older generations too! It keeps us feeling younger!
Sally and David: Are you saying that you have never been to a corn maze? Gather up the family and go find one! If you can't find any nearby, then you will just have to plant a corn field next year and be the first in your neighborhood to have one!
Steve: You hit a nerve with that comment. My parents head South early September and we don't have them for any of the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter) and it really saddens me. It is tough for the kids too. It's too bad you are losing yours at Christmas, but at least you will still have Thanksgiving. My parents will actually be here this Thanksgiving because my daughter is due to have a baby the end of October and they are making the trip home to see the baby. That's the real problem with Traditions...when someone you are used to having is suddenly no longer there, it really makes it tough.
Michael: How sad! This really must be hard. I can't imagine how traumatic for your family. Trying too hard to duplicate what they did must be very stressful and cause a lot of anxiety for whoever is trying to do it. Maybe you should get together and come up with your own version of the traditions...no one can replace them but you could reinvent them a bit to suit the next generation.
We are in the same boat. We have a new generation starting (several babies) and it makes coordinating all the families to one location pretty difficult. We will be reinventing some of our holidays this year.
Kathy: Thanks! I couldn't be more surprised! Never saw that coming!
Irene: Boy it was short! LOL! I wish I had video of my husband crawling around on his knees, and my uncle trying to hide in plain sight! It was surreal.
Laura J: How lucky for you! Go out and enjoy a "tall corn" maze in honor of me!
Laura O: We did make the best of. I appreciate the comment and the well wishes for the holiday season. The same to you and your family!
Erica: We are doing our best to keep some of ours alive! It can be inconvenient or seem like you don't have the time, at first, but once you make the time, it is well worth it.
Judy: So true! We will maintain as many as we can, and reinvent the ones that need a little tweeking!
Chuck: The fun comes from the people you are with...choose the right people to join you and it will be great fun!
Kat: Well said! Thanks!
Corinne: Oh I love a campfire...hot chocolate and S'mores, even better!
Lina: You are right, this will make even better memories this way! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sharon: I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I love watching pictures to music, and I love the video, but it's my family. It's nice to hear you enjoyed it too!
Lee & Pamela: At first we were whining about asking for our money back and then we realized that with a poor crop the farm must not have done well this year and they need the money from the maze even more this year than ever. We helped the economy, and we had fun...win win!
Glad you had a good time. Corn mazes and traditions are great. Thoughts and prayers to all of the farmers who had less than stellar corn crops this year. Thanks for supporting that farmer.
Sharon, It looks like a wonderful day and took me back to my midwestern roots in Illinois where corn is king. I was looking at you in your jackets and gloves with envy, as our AZ temps hit 100+ this weekend. We're looking forward to cooler days. I'll send you a picture in February when we're playing golf and sipping cool drinks on the patio. Isn't it cool that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best.
Sharon: Imagine the poor farmer ... how bad is it sucking for the farmer? I'm glad you and yoru family were able to put the day into perspective ... and enjoy your time together. Here's to taller corn for next year's tradition and the farmer!
Sharon - Sometimes the company you keep is all that you need to make it a great day. I wish my family was close enough to have a "family tradition" day. P.S. Love the motto!
As long as you have your family that is everything, thanks so much for this post and reminding us all about what's important. No matter where or what as long as you're together it's worth it.
When I lived in New England I loved the county fairs, hay rides, sleigh rides, wassailing, caroling and all the outdoor activities in the fall and early winter months. Going to the apple orchards to taste cider and climbing and jumping off the hay bails in the overstuffed barns. The cooler weather encouraged snuggling and warm moments by the fire and of course the soups, mmmm yum! It does seem people just don't make the time these days to enjoy the activities we used to share but your example says it doesn't have to be that way! Thanks for sparking the fond memories and sharing your adventures.
Maybe they didn't use enough miracle grow? :) I get together with my family every sunday for food, treats, and fun. What is life without family? I couldn't live without them!
Mike W: Based on what we saw, the corn crop had to be pretty bad. I'm glad we contributed, even if it wasn't that much.
Russell: That really surprises me! You are a corn maze virgin? You should gather up the family and check it out.
Barb: I have a friend who lives in Buckeye and I've heard about the 100 degree weather. We were very happy to not be freezing. The prediction was for 40 degrees and I think it ended up being close to 50. I will be very jealous of your weather in January and February!
Joe: I don't know, but we had a lot of rain this Summer....we hardly had a Summer at all.
Kathleen: Good idea, let's all raise a glass to taller corn next year! Thanks!
Michael and Karen: My husband was on his knees at first, just to be funny! It was good for kids and there were a lot running around, oblivious to the fact that their was even an issue.
Michelle: It's too bad your family isn't closer. Glad you like the motto!
James: That would also make a great motto: "Tradition is tradition and Family is Family!"
Ana: I agree. All that other stuff that we think is so important, means nothing if you lose your family.
Patricia: We did, we always do when we get together. I wish it were more often!
Karen: Good way to refer to it..."an off year." I like that!
Kimo: It seems your memories were really sparked! What a picture you paint...absence must have made your heart grow fonder for old New England! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks for the very descriptive comment!
Lisa: Every Sunday? That is very impressive! What an awesome family you must have!
Sharon, how perfect. It isn't the height of the corn -- it truly is about the time spent together. And now you will have the great horrible maze story to tell for the rest of your lives! :-) And you got to do it as a family!
Marney: When it comes to telling stories, the only thing better than talking about a great experience is talking about a terrible one! So much more interesting! Thanks!
Sharon ~ What a great fall post and most important that you had fun with your family. My (college) kids are coming home this and I think we will go down the old road and take a trip to the corn maze here. They will probably laugh at me, but I think they will go. Keep you posted!
SInce my daughter was born, we have tried to make traditions just like the one you described. Unfortunately this year HER schedule seems to be preventing our annual pumpkin and apple picking adventure. This was a great reminder that it is important to find the time because I cherish the memories of her first pumpkin, etc.... Thank you!
Great post! We went to a corn maze in Vermont a few times as a family and it does make for great memories. It's great to have reunions with family regardless of the actual activity.
Sheldon: Thank you, I'm glad it made you smile. Your post about pumpkin picking reminded me of this when I saw the picture of your son in the little corn maze.
Charles: My family will continue the tradition! We are gluttons for punishment!
It'll be one you'll all be talking and laughing about for years. That's part of what makes traditions so much fun. Love your motto and the video is just too funny - you all sure do have fun together :)
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Yesterday was our "corn maze" day and as the hay wagon approached the maze my uncle mentioned that the corn didn't seem very tall. 
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Sharon - Not as high as an "elephant's eye" there, but sounds as if you made the best of it.