Are you as excited as we are to be back around the table with vaccinated friends and family this Thanksgiving? Last year, we did our best, but it just wasn't the same. At the same time, the holidays can also be a potent reminder of people we've lost and the grief left behind in their place. For Bon Appétit contributor Alex Beggs, the holidays are about holding our grief and joy in equal measure, accompanied by a hearty serving of family favorites, whether that's mole enchiladas or a White Russian post-dinner cocktail. On this episode, we talk to her about the alchemy that turns shared meals into a way through mourning.  GUEST:  Alex Beggs, senior staff writer for Bon Appétit. You can find Alex's story, titled "Ghosts at the Table," here. Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.