Family Festivities

By Victoria Simon

The holidays are a time for peace, celebration and family. There is nothing like getting together with family, is there? Just hearing those words brings nostalgic images to mind…images of grandma pulling a steaming apple pie out of the oven, images of children playing “Go fish”, and images of Uncle Phil snoring in the recliner in the corner, right? If that is what you are picturing then you clearly aren’t in my family!

My family gatherings are loud and chaotic and include siblings arguing about politics, my mother cussing as she pulls something smoking from the oven, children staring mute and wide-eyed at technology, grandma pacing about and my father snoring in a recliner.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my family! Where can you get such entertainment! Re-hashing it in the car on the way home doubles the experience. “Did you hear Aunt Cathy?” I say to my husband. “She is the most critical person I know but she tries to makes it sound like she’s being helpful. And cousin Tim! What is up with him? Did you notice that Tamara only ate the food she brought? How could those twins look so perfect and be such a handful?”

Do your best to enjoy your family this holiday season. If your family is like mine and you are seeking “Peace on Earth,” you may want to be the one celebrating sound asleep in the recliner!

(As published in the Sentinel Standard Weekender of Ionia, Sat. Dec 20, 2014.)