Hey, it's Kelly, and at the end of every week, I like to share something true and useful,

something I stumbled over that gave me a burst of optimism, something you can share with

friends like an audio greeting card, something to help us all keep our eyes on what's working

and what could be.

So, I'll be right back with this week's For The Good of the Order.

This is Kelly Corgan Wonders.

As the holiday season kicks in in earnest, here's a short list of things to keep handy.

Throw it lozenges, scotch tape, a dustbuster, blankets, and plenty of extra forgiveness.

Surely my family's upcoming gatherings won't be the only ones where guests might abour

one another's positions on vaccines or build back better, and that's to make no mention

of the painful conflicts that pass between family members over a lifetime.

As we brace for conflict and maybe nurse grudges, we would be wise to consider a posture

of grace.

If and when a full amnesty for past wrongs or current wrongheadedness isn't possible,

I strive to separate the offender from the offence, that way I can more easily muster

compassion for the actor, even if I can't manage clemency for the act.

It's worth remembering, also, that we practice forgiveness all the time.

We forgive our parents for not understanding when we're joking, for worrying about the

wrong things, for asking what TikTok is, and rolling their eyes when we mention healthcare

or climate change or organic tofu, for bringing mortality into every room.

We forgive our siblings for standing the sweater, losing the sleeping bag, stealing the girl.

We're not seeing us as the adults we've become for holding us hostage over that one time

...