Tinsel and Tension

Ahhhh... the holidays. It's that time of year when the family gets together to celebrate Christmas and each other. Each year we face the fact, that we are family and no matter how hard we try, there is nothing we can do to change it.

Tis the season for family to put aside past differences and show love to one another. It's when siblings are forced to pretend to get along and stay in the same room with each other without major injury or insult. The phrase, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all", suddenly becomes "I'm not speaking to you!"

The holiday family photo is a time honored tradition.There is usually some crying and pinching involved but, we'll snap as many pictures as it takes to come up with the one photo that proves we can get along. We will look like we're happy and having a good time if it kills us... dang it!

The family gatherings are prepared for well in advance. There is relaxation and meditation techniques to learn to help ease our tension.  Also, making sure to schedule our doctor appointments for the medication we'll need when the other techniques don't kick in... just a precaution so we don't kick each other.

There is no other love like that of family, especially at the holidays. Sometimes we just have to look past the eye rolls and the flying elbows to know how much we are loved.