For me, being with Family makes everything OK. 

As I write this, I'm with my Uncle, age 87, in Los Angeles.  He's quite proud of his age.  As he says, only one other family member has out-lasted him.  I'm glad he's a bit competative too.

Uncle Andy feeds me with healthy food, a good game of pool and wisdom based on tried and true experience.  Yesterday on my way to my Uncle's I stopped en route at Brother Ben's and he supplied me with yard picked pomegranates, homemade olives, garden grown green bell peppers and a enduring bear-hug.  The day before that, Brother Cliff (also my next door neighbor) assured me my cat, Lucky, would be well fed. The same day, Sister Jane (in Utah) and I connected via Skype with video.  We laughed out loud.  How fortunate I am for a tight knit family.  

The holiday season swiftly ensues. This time symbolizes Family.  Not everyone has the most peaceful family conditions.  Even within my Walton Family there have been events that would put a grimace on your face and a tear in your eye. What does it take to keep the peace?  How does the tribe move forward with love, patience and forgiveness?  How have you moved through troubling times within your family?  

Aids to bonding are priority, determination, humor and seeing from another's point of view.  Often times we don't understand the needs, preferences and values of those closest to us.  Blood doesn't guarantee seeing eye-to-eye.   Once we can really see what another is interested in we can better service their needs and expand the relationship panorama.   

Maybe, this holiday season we can sit with one of our family members, perhaps even the one who brings us the most grief, and be curious about what is most meaningful to them.  Without fixing, analyzing, judging, defensiveness, expectation or fighting just be curious.... like "Colombo"... with or without the cigar.