By Mia Norris
Thanksgiving is upon us, the holiday that celebrates the 1620 expedition of the Pilgrims and gives thanks for another year of wonderful blessings and goods. Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, reflection, and gratitude. The holiday is celebrated in many ways across several different cultures and families. Annually celebrated on the last Thursday of each November, Thanksgiving calls for traditions and plans with family, friends, and those we love.
While the holiday's origins are rooted in America’s past, its traditions have evolved over time, taking on unique forms in the homes and lives of communities. This week, I took time to speak with the members of clubs about some of the traditions they would be coming back to when we leave on Tuesday for the holiday.
Many students spoke about this being their first time home, at least for longer than a day or two. Personally, I live close to Stonehill’s campus, so going home is easy, but there are still a lot of students who must travel long distances to be home, which makes this break even more special for them. Some students spoke excitedly about different meals they would be preparing; some traditional meals and desserts such as pumpkin pie. Some, however, described more atypical meals like sweet potatoes and marshmallows that represent family traditions.
Thanksgiving, however, is not just about the food; it is about the people and activities that take place that day. A number of students were excited just to be around their extended families, taking part in conversations, and catching up. Being away at school makes it hard to catch up with our loved ones.
A few students spoke about watching the football games of the day and the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning. That is my personal favorite part of the morning. I love seeing all the fun floats and performers! Some are more active in the morning, however. One student said that she and her friends would be participating in her town’s Turkey Trot; a 5k (3.1 miles) race designed to exercise before eating lots and lots of delicious food later in the evening. Although I commend those taking this on, that is one tradition I do not know that I will ever really get into.
Thanksgiving holds many meanings for so many different families. It is such a fun day that holds space for many different lifestyles. As seen in just these few answers, Thanksgiving is a time of celebrating loved ones, eating tasty food, and just being together. It also is a wonderful time to reflect on the holiday's literal meaning and be thankful for the many things in our lives that continue to bless us.
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