On Being highlights our tendency toward stressing over family gatherings, holidays included.
Courtney E. Martin writes (excerpt):
You may have a boatload of angst over something even more basic . . . whether your family even constitutes a family in the first place.
Here’s the punch line to the whole thing: everyone’s family is screwed up and there is no typical family.
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Your family is whichever motley crew of dysfunctional humans you love so damn much you would do anything for, including being driven crazy by them. . . . Your family is your breaking point and your healing refuge. Your family is your best chance to be known.