With Thanksgiving coming up this week, I'm sure most people have made plans to be with family for this holiday. If you're like me, you're drooling just thinking about the food that's going to be made for your family's Thanksgiving feast. But for many, this may be the first time in awhile that you're getting to spend time with your family because of where you live/go to school. I know just how special these opportunities are, so I want to encourage all of you to make sure you don't let that precious time slip between your fingers. Be present on Thanksgiving and enjoy that time.

If Thanksgiving brings a break from school, I'm sure everyone has made plans to do other things over that break besides spend time with family. Let's face it, we want to do a little of all our favorite things whenever school can hit the back burner for awhile. With that being said, have your plans ready to go before the holiday so that on the actual day of thanks, you can focus on being there with your family. Many of you are seeing family members you haven't seen in months, and it's important that you make the most of that time, no matter how much the relatives pry into your life. Be polite and actively converse with them about your life instead of simply answering the questionnaire.

Remember that we're all getting older, your relatives included, and one day, it will fall to you to be the one who is cooking some of the dishes that you love so much. That being said, pay attention to the little traditions and at least start looking over all those decade old recipes. Thanksgiving is one of those ancient times that is echoed by the many Thanksgivings that have passed, so it's really important that you can be a part of this and the many more Thanksgivings to come.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the life we're living the rest of the year, but just for one day, listen to those same stories that you have heard way too many times, and by all means, turn your phone off. Realize that you cannot take these moments of togetherness for granted and that all the faces welcoming you this year are not guaranteed for next year. Take a moment to be grateful for the people who love you and for the food in your belly. Because after this day, your life will just keep racing past you and it will get so easy to ignore the little things that Thanksgiving makes room for, so acknowledge them, whatever they may be for you and yours.

With that being said, I hope this is a happy and fulfilling Thanksgiving for everyone and that you're all warm and well-fed, wherever you choose to spend that day.