By Stephen C. Schultz
The high pitched whirring sound traveled throughout space and time. It was both annoying and comforting, a dichotomy that came around once a year. My senses were being bombarded mostly through sound and smell. There was the constant chatter about the local collegiate football team, the sweet aroma of apple pie baking in the oven, a turkey and sage combo simmering in roasting pan and the whirring of the beaters whipping up the mashed potatoes.
Yes, the holidays are upon us once again. The Holidays are a time for families to gather together. It’s a time for reunions to be made and for relationships to be strengthened. Some of my fondest memories are sitting at the proverbial “Kids Table” at Thanksgiving with my siblings and my cousins. There was running around the house while parents talked and got caught up. As kids, we would run by the relish tray and grab ourselves some celery with cheese whiz in it. Next, it was raiding the olives and putting them on our fingertips. There was never a shortage of fun to be had.
Over the years, as I have had my own children, we have continued some of the same traditions. Through my chosen profession, it became apparent that not all families look forward to the Holidays. In fact, some families find themselves dealing with bad memories of years past and a lack of hope for things to get better in the future.
There is hope! When family interactions trigger a trauma response in family members, the following family drama and dysregulation can derail any gathering quickly. Below are a couple of links to articles that may be helpful.
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