November is a beautiful month. Not only because of all the fall foliage but because of Thanksgiving. Have you ever wondered what Thanksgiving is? Where it originated? Why do we emphasize the importance of being thankful on this day? Well, if you ask a young child, it's a holiday they prepare for by making hand print turkeys in school, having to help Mom clean the house for family, and getting to eat a ton of good food and... PIE! If you ask a college student, it's a break from school where they finally eat a delicious meal but they get hounded by family members asking how their grades are, if they are dating anybody, and how life is in general. If you read the history books, Thanksgiving dates back to the 1600s when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a feast and gave thanks to the fruit of the harvest. But what is the true meaning of Thanksgiving?

Well, in simplest terms, it's whatever you make of it.

I invite you to read my best interpretation of my family's Thanksgiving and have a laugh or two at this dysfunction...

Since I can remember, Thanksgiving has always been held at my house and my Mom drives herself crazy making sure the house is spotless and everything is in order for the holiday. I could never understand why she put herself through that but as I grew older, it became clear. My Mom never enjoyed holidays because she was too busy putting everyone else first. My Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Angela do everything in their power to make a delicious Thanksgiving meal. I will forever be sitting at the kids table with my Uncle Dave, my sister Jenna, my sister in law Jenna and my brother David. But have no fear, we don't miss any of the conversation because Grandpa is usually shouting about politics or his views on popular issues in the world. Grandma is at the head of the table smiling at all of us enjoying her cooking right after she leads us in saying Grace. Tom is most likely telling a corny joke or funny story (don't tell him, but they are my favorite!), cousin Stephen is most likely picking on me for an embarrassing story my sister just put me on blast for. And it wouldn't be a complete Crance-Siano Thanksgiving without at least one conversation about bowl movements. In the long run, it's easier to understand when you're there. Ultimately, Thanksgiving is a day to stuff your face with delicious food and to be thankful for what you do have rather than to dwell on what you don't have. Every day we should all be thankful but Thanksgiving is a day to express what you have been grateful for all year long whether it's with family, some neighbors, some friends, or even a stranger. I'm thankful, blessed, and all around lucky to look down a big, long table long table filled with incredible human beings who I know love and care for me. With everything going on in the world, remember to put everything aside and try to enjoy the good in life with people you want to be surrounded by. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!