A different kind of Thanksgiving is in the works for us this year. Two of my three sons have steady girlfriends who we’ve not yet met and they’ll be joining us for the weekend… this weekend, since one couple can’t make it next week.
It’s a signal that another phase in our family’s life cycle is about to begin. And the task of integrating ‘outsiders’ into holiday rituals is typically a field fraught with emotional landmines. I like to think my wife and I will be able to navigate through it without hitting any but it’s unlikely. Comes with the territory.
I finished The Corrections last night and there are so many parallels to my family of origin it’s almost creepy. It’s the most psychologically sophisticated novel I’ve ever read. And its central scene revolves around grown children returning for the holidays. Yikes.