We invited James (Jay) Hughes (United States) to submit an updated unpublished reflection on the importance of ritual in families. It seems reassuring during this pandemic to refer to traditions and rituals in families. In his piece, entitled ?A reflection on the art and practice of ritual within a family governance system?, Jay reminds us that every family has rituals, and asks: ?What are some of the important life stages of individual family members and of the family as a whole that rituals within families might be created to honour?? His answer, with examples from families, include the traditional events such as coming of age, becoming an elder, a new member by birth, a marriage, a death. He muses that there could be new kinds of rituals when there is a time to celebrate after the pandemic, ?We can, however, look forward to them and the sunny days of our lives they will represent?. He closes with some optimism: I can imagine that these celebrations will be of unusual size and importance as we and our families acknowledge that we survived, that we learned all we could sitting on the banks of our rivers for our shared futures, and with confidence, courage and creativity we embrace our new rivers and the possibilities they auger.