November has been interesting to say the very least. We have been more divided as a nation than usual, and I’ve found that we are beginning to see each other as opinions rather than humans. Our topics of conversation begin and end with politics. I am not blinding myself to the harsh reality of politics, nor am I choosing to ignore this reality. I understand that we have a new president, a topic that will never truly be laid to rest, nor should it be. But I firmly believe that Thanksgiving is not a time to divide over our differences but rather unite over what makes us one.

To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a day dedicated to giving thanks and appreciation. However, I've always thought that there is a tragic nature to the concept of this Thanksgiving. Each day should be filled with the overwhelming gratitude we feel on Thursday, yet we choose to focus the rest of our year on the opposite. There is no reason to save all our gratitude for a single day. I should not feel surprised when someone says they're thankful for me. This is something each and every one of us should feel 365 days a year. This November has been filled with nothing but hate and anger anger. We seem to have forgotten that there is so much more to life than politics, yet in the chaos that has ensued, our vocabulary seems to be ridden of all other topics.

I know of far too many that are not attending Thanksgiving, either because they are unwelcome or because they fear that they will be after they’ve already sat down and the dreaded conversation ensues. Why do we choose to let hate win? By exiling those who once made our world great because we disagree with their choice does nothing but widen the hole at the table and in our families. There is nothing sadder than something as trivial as politics dividing our nation on a day dedicated to doing the opposite.

A family gathering does not warrant a family argument. This is not an opportunity to belittle others for their beliefs, no matter how easy it may be to do so. We are all built on different ideas. In many cases, it’s what fuels our love for each other. Why cry over a conversation about the president when we can talk passionately about differences that make us think, that make us laugh and converse like civil humans. These are the kinds of conversations we should want to have. I will never understand why such controversial topics make their way into our families and tear us apart from the people we love most. Regardless of who you voted for, I hope that for one day, we can bond over a mutual love for each other and mashed potatoes.