Holiday gatherings are so important and hold a special place in our hearts and yes, they often also require a bit of effort.

We find ourselves filled with anticipation, planning and hoping, longing and yearning. We want everyone to feel happy and comfortable, yet what we envision for the evening doesn’t always align with the plans of our grown children or what others might find “comfortable.”

Families carry rich histories, and the holidays have a way of bringing those stories to the surface—sometimes tender, sometimes funny, and occasionally challenging.