Calm column: Come to the table and leave the rest behind

‘Tis the season to be thankful…and I am. I have so many blessings to count — so why do I sometimes feel overwhelmed by it all?

Perhaps it’s because of the logistics involved in trying to gather all four of my kids and their kids and our significant others at my table for one meal during Thanksgiving weekend. It would seem to be a relatively simple task — I mean, we aren’t talking about a cast of thousands to contend with — only the eleven dearly beloved members of my family. Somehow, though, I need top-level diplomatic skills, the flexibility of a contortionist, the patience of Job and, here and there, a judicious application of bourbon or red wine.