Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce. It's Thanksgiving — a time for giving thanks. But sometimes, that line between gratitude and leaving well enough alone is very thin.

What is it about the holidays that forces one to confront personal issues and relationships? For some, it's the family feuds and getting rivaling factions to sit down, shut up and eat up. Or, if this is a point of contention, there's the tedious and fragile decision of deciding whose family to visit each year (see, there are benefits to singlehood).

Or sometimes it's that distant relative who still wants to know why you're not married yet, intending, in no uncertain terms, to pick your brain for any underlying psychological aversion to commitment. Or to pinpoint your sexual orientation.

For me, my relationship issues don't involve relatives; they revolve around old flames. The same thing always happens: When Thanksgiving and the Yuletide roll around, I have at least one ex (or “almost ex”) who calls to find out what my plans are and asks if I want to hang out. Because it'd be really nice to fan that flame again — maybe someone won't get burned this time.

And this year, there are two.

The first, is an “almost ex.” We never really dated. We'd been very good friends throughout college, but it was always one of those relationships where everyone else thought we'd make a cute couple. Finally, senior year, he confessed to having a crush on me. And then I left the city to start my first job.

He eventually moved to the Midwest for his job and, every now and then, will arbitrarily send me an invitation to visit. I haven't yet — mostly because he's tough to keep in contact with and our plans often fall apart.

The second is my “chronic ex.” We've been with and without each other spanning nearly five years. Whenever either of us has a breakup (or influences a breakup), we pick up where we left off. Except we go around in circles, so it really doesn't matter where we leave off because we don't go anywhere. Isn't the definition of insanity trying the same thing over and over, expecting a different result? Call me crazy.

I'm sure many of you have found yourselves in such a quandary. Maybe you've initiated it. Whatever the case, the holidays bring a bountiful element of nostalgia. It's a time of reflection, and often you end up thinking about the what-ifs.

I still haven't committed to either offer, and I'm running out of time. I would love to see both, but doubt that I could squeeze them in without skimping on quality time with my family. But I will say this: I'm leaning toward the “almost ex,” mostly because merry-go-rounds make me queasy now -- I'm not as young as I once was.

Plus, he asked first. It's only fair.