Navigating the Complicated Holiday Season with Family

*Written for Tribeza 11.23.22*: AFTER DEALING WITH THE RECENT LOSS OF MY MOTHER, I FIND MYSELF REFLECTING ON HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES AND TRADITIONS

FOR SOME REASON, whenever I think of the holidays, my mind can’t help but bring up the classic 1980’s Folgers Coffee commercial.

You may remember it. It’s a picturesque snowy morning. Pete, who I’m assuming is a college-aged kid, arrives home unexpectedly while everyone is still in bed, except for one little girl, and Pete knows how to wake the family wi…