This year I am especially excited for Thanksgiving. After long and gruesome weeks of hitting the books, its time to head home and enjoy a nice break. Exams are only a hop, skip and a jump away, but I am determined to make the most of this long awaited holiday.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Growing up, preparations happened weeks in advance. The Turkey from Earth Fare had to be ordered, family had to be called to confirm a head count and the extenders had to put in the dining room table to accompany everyone. The recipes are edited to make the perfect Thanksgiving feast for the whole family. My Aunt Vicki’s mashed potatoes are always a real crowd pleaser.
The day starts and ends in the kitchen. The turkey marinated overnight and my Dad is now ready to bake the turkey for a majority of the day. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is playing on every TV in the house, so that way you never miss a second. The parade has always been one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving. I love the different floats and the decorations all over the streets. Once the parade is over, my mom, sister, and I watch the dog show. We always cheer on the Scottish Terrier and the Golden Retriever. For me it is more than just sitting down and watching something on TV, it is being able to enjoy time with my family.
Dinner is always served around two or three o’clock, depending on how everything in the kitchen is coming along. The feast is usually held at my grandparents’ house, or sometimes we have it right at home. My family and I have also enjoyed Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncles’ in Atlanta. For several years growing up we would usually have Thanksgiving with my great-grandparents at their nursing home. It’s always a great time wherever we are because of the people I am sharing this wonderful occasion with. All of the hours of preparations that go in to making the day just right, do not seem to matter once we are all sitting around the table remembering and celebrating how thankful we all are. Food and family just seem to go together. Life gets busy for everyone, but it is nice that we have time to celebrate each other and make the most of a loving and thankful day.
Once the table is cleared and the dishes are put away, it’s time for a good, long nap. I always indulge in a little too much turkey and an extra piece of pie, but Thanksgiving only comes once a year, so best to make the most of it. Everything is good in moderation!
After being well rested, it’s time to shop. I have never been one for Black Friday shopping because of the mobs of people and long lines. My grandma and I usually go later in the day to shop and go to a nice restaurant for lunch. Small Business Saturday is a good shopping day for me. I love going to the little boutiques and shops in my hometown. The sales are always great and I get to spend time with my mom and sister, while supporting some great people in town.
Thanksgiving means so much more to me than just a day of food. It is a time when I can relax and be with the most important people in my life. Being away from home has really taught me a lot about how important family really is. I miss them every day I am away. My parents and my sister are the best gifts I could have ever been blessed with. I am a very family oriented person and being away from them has made me really appreciate them and the time we get to share. So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for family and the love that we share. The time we get to spend together and the memories that will last a lifetime.
I hope your Thanksgiving is full of laughter and love with family and friends. Remember to be Thankful and spread the love. Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!
