Holidays have always been huge in my family. Even for holidays that some might not acknowledge, my family always made a point to prepare for it. We decorate our house for almost everything, even birthdays. The best part about holidays is that they are often meant to be spent with loved ones. It's a chance to take time out of your busy life and come together to celebrate whatever holiday that is.
Last year, I moved from New Jersey to California in pursuit of my dream, the reason most people move Los Angeles, to work in the film industry. It was a difficult adjustment, which I anticipated, but I couldn't prepare to adjust. My sister got married the first week of November, so I flew back to New Jersey for that. It was a fun weekend, but I knew there was no way I could fly home again a few weeks later for Thanksgiving.
I was okay with that, though, because I wouldn't want to miss my own sister's wedding. But just like I didn't anticipate how hard the adjustment would be, I didn't anticipate just how difficult my first Thanksgiving away from home would be. Because I had only been at school for a little more than half of a semester, and because I was pretty shy when I first moved here, I didn't really know too many people well enough for me to be part of their Thanksgiving plans. I sat home all weekend watching the Thanksgiving episodes of "Friends" and my favorite episodes of "Parks and Rec." But that wasn't enough. I was just really sad all weekend. On Thanksgiving, I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I talked to my family. And then I went to my school's Thanksgiving dinner. It was nice that my school put on a free dinner for students who were stuck on campus, but it didn't help how alone I felt on a holiday that was supposed to be spent surrounded by loved ones.
Looking back on who I was a year ago, I'm actually thankful for that experience. I'm not going home for Thanksgiving again this year. Instead, I'm spending the holiday with my roommate and her family, and I could not be more excited! In the past year since my worst Thanksgiving, I've grown so close to my friends, and I now have a second family.
I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world because I have people on both sides of the country that I can count on to be there for me and to accept me as family. I am so thankful for my bad Thanksgiving because not only does it serve as a reminder of the great things in my life now, but I also have to keep in mind why I had that bad Thanksgiving. I spent a Thanksgiving alone because I was pursuing my dream, and I need to remind myself to be grateful for the opportunity to do so.
The other day I was asked if I'm as grateful as I should be for everything I have. Initially, I thought yes. I constantly acknowledge the fact that my family, my friends, and I are pretty happy and healthy. I constantly think about how lucky I am for that. I try my best to remind my loved ones that I love them, because I really mean it. But I still take a lot for granted. I complain about the workload of my classes. But I have the privilege to attend one of the best film schools in the country, and the workload is designed to help me improve in my field. I complain that I don't want to put my laundry away. But how lucky am I to have all the clothes I have? I complain about having to constantly ask friends for rides to places because I don't have a car (not for much longer). But I should enjoy not having to drive in LA traffic while I still can.
To the people who are spending Thanksgiving alone, I hope you find some happiness on this holiday. If not, I hope you remember it in the years to come, so when you are celebrating with someone, you can appreciate it that much more. To the people who are spending Thanksgiving with loved ones, acknowledge how lucky you are for that. And finally, to my friends and family, thank you for being in my life, no matter how far away we might be from each other. I owe everything to all of you, and while I may take too many things for granted, I will never take you all for granted.
