Coping

Jingling bells, hanging holly and Hannukah candles.

Cinnamon and clove scents.

My Aunt Elma’s hearty laugh and kind ways.

These sensations are some of what the holiday season brings, and I anticipate with pleasure the well-known traditions of the season.

Even the commercial aspects, done in planned bursts, can be fun, from scouting out the year’s best music CD for my sister, to conferring with the cute guy at the liquor store about the best-priced bottle of red for my uncle.