by Pete Barba
No, not THAT Jersey Shore, you know the one on MTV filled with inappropriate behavior? Our Jersey Shore is a family tradition that goes back to my grandmother’s childhood. For the past 80+ years our entire family has been going to the sleepy Jersey Shore that no one outside the region knows about. For a couple weeks each summer, my aunts, uncles, niece, nephews, sister and cousins share a house where we share stories, memories, food and family. Last year even my 97 year old grandmother joined us, just 2 months before she passed away, Despite the hurdles of schooling, residency and living on the other side of the continent, I have only missed 3 years; once due to residency, another due to Gwyn and Drew’s birth and then 2020 during COVID.
We are lucky as a family to have this tradition. We know that every summer we will reconnect despite being spread across the country. Even though we cram 20 people into one house, somehow it works. Traditions run deep, unwritten rules keep order. No drinking before noon, bakery day is Sunday, each family is responsible for 1-2 meals….. There is no written instructions but everyone knows how it works.
This year the tradition lived on. Despite the loss of our matriarch, Margie, this past September, we still celebrated as a family. Her chair in the corner sat empty, and there was a subtle but noticeable sense of morose. But in her honor, we laughed, drank, ate Fluffernutter sandwiches and Oreos, and embraced the strong sense of family that she instilled in all of us.
As the years roll on, things remain the same but the roles change. When I was growing up, the men spent the days in the water body surfing, now I am that man. When I was a kid, I spent hours playing in the sand and playing in the waves, Gwyn and Drew now fill those roles. Margie used to be in charge, now my sister Heather and Aunt Mary rule the coop. As we grow older, things change but the love never fades.
Vivid Travelers 
2 responses to “The Jersey Shore”
Wonderful traditions like these spawn memories that last a lifetime.
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I love the Jersey Shore…the sleepy one…I miss it so much! Thanks for the great pictures and I’m so glad your traditions live on!
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